Prison officers yesterday called for their Commissioner Mr. Edward Dyer to be punished over the controversial drugs search.

They also complained Mr. Dyer had still not apologised to them for the search -- despite Government promises.

Their criticisms came as they replied to a report of an inquiry into the way prison officers were searched with sniffer dogs.

The report -- released by Government earlier this month -- was compiled by Mrs. Judith Hall-Bean, the senior personnel officer in the Department of Personnel Services.

Yesterday the Prison Officers Association handed in their reply to Social Services Permanent Secretary Mr. Carl Musson.

POA chairman Mr. Russell Richardson said last night his officers were "marginally satisfied'' with Mrs. Hall-Bean's report.

But there were glaring flaws in it, he said. These included: There was no recommendation for disciplinary action against Mr. Dyer or the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Mr. Marvin Trott; There were many inaccuracies. For instance, it was not true to claim or imply Mr. Richardson had advance knowledge of the February 4 drugs search at St.

George's Prison Farm; There were no recommendations for the human rights of prison officers to be protected; There were no proposals to safeguard prison officers' legal rights.

Mr. Richardson also protested that neither Mr. Dyer nor Mr. Trott had apologised to the POA.

This despite an assurance by Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness they would do so.

"We have received nothing verbally or in writing,'' said Mr. Richardson.

Last night Mr. Dyer said he would be apologising to the POA.

Mr. Edness said: "Any resolutions on this issue will have to be discussed internally.'' Earlier this month Mr. Edness admitted the drugs search was a "mistake.'' But he said guards remained implicated in providing drugs to prisoners, and Mr. Dyer was determined to get to the bottom of it.