Government has promised a review to help Prison officers ease their workload.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess last night revealed plans to aid officers and solve some of the issues troubling them.

He was speaking after publicly criticising some guards for a lapse in procedure when convicted armed robber Rupert Elroy Archibald was able to throw a concealed hairbrush at Royal Gazette photographer David Skinner.

The incident happened as the criminal was led from the Supreme Court by Prison officers following his conviction for his part in a raid on the Bank of Bermuda in Somerset.

Mr. Burgess yesterday met with Prison Officers Association chairman Lynn Hall and vice-chairman Michael Tuzo to discuss the security breach and other concerns.

He said further meetings are planned as the two groups bid to iron out any difficulties and address the prison officers' concerns.

"We have a common resolve to work on the problems and concerns within the prison with a view to making sure the life of an officer is made as tolerable as possible,'' he said.

Michael Tuzo last night said he and chairman Lynn Hall were encouraged by what the Minister had to say.

"It was a courtesy meeting,'' he said. "It was very amicable, we touched on a few issues and we are looking forward to working to resolve these situations.'' He added that the meeting had addressed some of the concerns -- which both sides want to keep out of the public domain.

The Minister said he appreciated how the role of prison officers and the type of criminal they dealt with had changed in the last 15 to 20 years.

"The stresses and strains are totally different and multifaceted,'' he added.

"We will be looking for solutions to the concerns that they have, because a well educated and motivated service will bode well for rehabilitation and assisting the inmates they are responsible for.

The officers, said Mr. Burgess were concerned about their image in the light of the security breach but also recognised the need to ensure competence and good management.

"I am encouraged by these first meetings and we are committed to more -- we will make it happen,'' he said.

Maxwell Burgess