Prison wardens have voted overwhelmingly to continue industrial action in their long-running dispute over manpower shortages.

The shock decision was made at a meeting of Association members last night, four days into the current dispute.

Around 80 of the Island's prison officers debated their next course of action for nearly three hours before deciding whether or not to continue the action.

When the vote came, apart from a handful of abstentions, support for continued action was unanimous.

The disruptive action kicked in on Monday after prison staff, said to be becoming increasingly frustrated with working conditions after years of understaffing, decided that "enough was enough''.

And the vote means that senior prison officials -- including Prisons Commissioner Ed Dyer -- along with Police, will have to continue escorting and guarding prisoners to and from the courts. The action is set to go on indefinitely.

Following last night's meeting Prison Officers Association chairman Lynn Hall said: "The vote was to continue the action until such time that we can be given assurances by the Minister that our short- term goals are met and that we meet to discuss our long-term goals.'' The decision is bound to come as a surprise to Labour and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox.

Mr. Hall met with the Minister on Monday to discuss the action -- talks which Ms Cox later described as "a good meeting -- co-operative and helpful''.

Last night Ms Cox could not be contacted to discuss the decision.

And she is due to jet off to Switzerland tomorrow for several weeks to attend an ILO conference.

Prison Officers vow to keep pressure on Government Following Monday's talks, Mr. Hall also implied that some progress had been made.

And although Ms Cox was unable to make any firm promises, it was thought that Prison officers would be willing to allow the new Minister to address their concerns -- "after years of lip-service''.

Ms Cox is expected to return to the Island in two weeks.

After last night's meeting Mr. Hall's message to the Minister was: "Just hurry back -- we are tired, tired, tired''.

Labour relations officer Glenn Fubler, who was also at last night's meeting, will continue to meet with Association bosses to "keep the ball rolling'' in the Minister's absence.