staff shortages and calls for their immediate re-instatement.

It has been close to two months since the three prison officers suspended on alleged rape charges, learned they would not face criminal proceedings. But the men, who are understood to be receiving pay, are still not back at work.

Prison Officers Association president Lynn Hall yesterday admitted the situation was annoying him.

According to Mr. Hall, Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer has delegated Deputy Commissioner Marvin Trott to handle the situation.

Mr. Dyer is said to have handed the file of the three men to Mr. Trott two weeks ago.

"But I don't understand why, because he (Mr. Trott) went on two weeks holiday,'' Mr. Hall said.

The three men were suspended in mid-March after a 19-year-old female inmate from Britain accused them of raping her. The woman is now serving out the rest of her sentence at Hollaway Prison in London.

Mr. Hall, who has complained of staff shortages in the prison system, reiterated his previous calls for the men to be re-instated immediately.

"I understand that the deputy will be back in the office on Monday and I'll be looking to meet with him then,'' he said. "This situation has become ridiculous.''