Rank and file Prison Officers are ready to take Government to court over conditions in the Island's correctional facilities.

And the current industrial action was taken as "a last resort'' according to the Bermuda Prison Officers Association and is designed to get a "speedy resolution'' to better protect the public, inmates, and its officers at the Island's three overcrowded facilities.

In a press release, Michael Tuzo, Chairman of the BPOA, said the industrial action came after officers had been "patient'' over the past six years of discussions.

But the Home Affairs Ministry shot back last night pointing out that Government had addressed many of the officers' concerns and downplayed the number and severity of incidents of violence in the prison system.

Mr. Tuzo also said he was compelled to respond to "provocative'' comments by Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox, who is responsible for HM Prisons.

This week Commissioner Edward Dyer, and his two senior deputies Marvin Trott and Randall Woolridge have had to fill in as escorts and supervise prisoners as many officers called in sick.

Mr. Tuzo said the sick out was "designed to preserve the safety'' of the public, inmates, and Officers and he characterised the level of violence as a "rising tide''.

The ratio of Officers to inmates is "woefully inadequate'' and overcrowding prevents "safe administration of discipline and control'' of inmates "according to the offences they have committed'', he added.

The BPOA is also concerned about the long working hours and overtime its officers have to serve which "puts the health and safety of prison officers at risk''.

Prison Officers also believe that HM Prisons should have drug detection equipment on site -- as is the practice in other countries.

Mr. Tuzo wrote that these six issues are of "grave concern'' and require Government's "immediate attention''.

He stated further: "We find these comments (by Ms Cox) insulting when the Minister is well aware that Prison Officers have been subjected to surprise strip searches and dog searches.

"And not once has a controlled substance been detected on any prison Officer,'' Mr. Tuzo continued.

"The Bermuda Prison Officers have been patient for six years and the problems have become so serious they have reached a crisis point.'' Officers threaten to sue "We now demand the Minister immediately redress our concerns and ask for the support of the Bermudian public.'' While aware the public may be concerned,"this action has been taken as a last resort,'' Mr. Tuzo said, adding "that despite this action, our primary responsibility is to maintain the safety and welfare'' of the public, inmates, and Prison Officers.

He concluded: "For this purpose, we have secured legal advice and are prepared to take legal action if necessary to promote a speedy resolution of this matter in the interests of all parties and the public.'' The Ministry responded in detail that attacks on officers should be dealt with via the Treatment of Offenders Board punishment procedure, adding "attacks have occurred but there have not been many and these are addressed through the normal channels'' of the TOB.

While there has been inmate on inmate violence, the Government spokesperson continued, "it would be a misstatement to categorise this as a rising tide''.

Government cites as positive the conversion of 12 temporary posts into permanent positions -- while the BPOA noted they been in service for 14 months.

In addition, advertisements for 12 new officers were placed last week and today.

The Alternatives to Incarceration programme currently being discussed will help to reduce the number of "civil'' prisoners, jailed because they have failed to pay fines or child support.

In recent months dozens of people have been jailed by Magistrates as part of an effort to reduce the arrears owed to Government and their children.

HM Prisons will soon begin using its training offices as a temporary holding area for civil prisoners which will keep them away from people in for more serious crimes.

Government has also invested in Ion Scan equipment but it did not give an indication whether it was operational in the Island's prisons.