Prison officers are set to meet again tomorrow to decide whether or not to continue industrial action.

Prison Association officials met with Labour and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox at the weekend in a second round of talks over staffing levels at the Island's three correctional facilities.

And, although details of the talks are being kept under wraps, it is understood that the Minister has come up with some fresh initiatives to bring the dispute to a quick close.

Officers began the disruptive action -- they are refusing to escort and guard prisoners who have to leave Westgate to attend court -- last Monday.

Staff representatives claimed that the service was undermanned, morale was low, equipment was not being provided and that there was general dissatisfaction among staff with prison management.

Although association bosses met with the Minister for talks last Monday evening, staff voted to carry on with the action when they met three days later.

Last night Prison Officers Association chairman Lynn Hall described the latest round of talks as "very positive''.

And he claimed the Minister had come up with some fresh initiatives which could solve officers' short term concerns.

"It was a pretty good meeting -- the Minister has made some moves to get to the bottom of some of the problems within the prison service,'' Mr. Hall said.

"The difference between this meeting and last week's meeting is that she has agreed to do something about the short term problems rather than looking at the long term issues.

"It looks like we're going to get some things done straight away. I can't say what those things are until I have met with my members but it was a very positive meeting.'' Prison officers to meet tomorrow Although Mr. Hall could not be drawn on details of the initiatives Ms Cox hinted that staffing could be increased by using up to nine Prison officers on temporary contracts to fill vacant posts in the service, when she addressed the House of Assembly last Friday.

And she added that a top expert from the UK would be drafted in to help revamp the crumbling service, a move that Mr. Hall described as "good news''.

Following Saturday's meeting, Ms Cox said: "The mood was positive and fruitful. The Executive of the Prison Officers Association have stated that they intend to arrange for a meeting with their membership as soon as possible. This is likely to be early next week.''