Prison Service.

The consultant will arrive in early November to effect a series of changes that are intended to make the operation more efficient.

Management practices, security and the incidence of illegal drugs entering the prisons will all come under the consultant's focus during the two years of the contract.

Health Minister Clarence Terceira said Personnel Services received more than 40 applications and had shortlisted two persons for the post.

A decision is expected next week. Once they are hired to the $94,000-a-year post, the consultant will work closely with Prison commissioner Edward Dyer to execute the recommendations contained in the Pret Report.

The Pret Report grew out of the problems the Prisons Department experienced when Westgate was opened in September, 1994.

In 1996 Government commissioned Pret Inc. to conduct a review of the Prison Service and they produced a report with suggestions for improvement.

At that time Government agreed a consultant should be hired to develop and then put the recommendations from the Pret Report into effect.

In the short term, Dr. Terceira said the consultant will review all practices and execute the long term corrective measures mentioned in the report.

"We are aiming to have some corrective measures in place in the near future,'' he continued, "and with the consultant's assistance we should be in a position to gradually improve the operation of all three facilities within the Prison Service''.

Meanwhile, Dr. Terceira said that he will continue to work closely with the Prison Officers' Association.

So far he said there have already been several productive meetings with representatives of the Association that should result in some solutions.

"All parties realise that staff in the Prison Services have had to work under unusually difficult conditions,'' the Minister said. "We have identified some short term corrective measures including the hiring of additional prison officers and we are confident that these will provide some relief.'' Other areas where officers have had difficulties, he explained, include the scheduling of shifts and security at the entrance to Westgate.

"I will continue to meet with them on a regular basis and go over and address their concerns,'' the Minister said.