gifts from visitors.

The protest -- believed to have been a sit-in -- was followed by talks with Prisons Commissioner Mr. Edward Dyer.

The ban has now been postponed, Mr. Dyer announced.

He confirmed there was a "minor incident'' at around 7 a.m., which led to "amicable and productive'' discussions with nine prisoners' representatives.

Inmates were concerned about plans for a new canteen system, he said. The system, announced last week, will mean prisoners will no longer get gifts of snacks or soft drinks from relatives and friends. Instead, visitors will have to deposit cash into an inmate's prison account.

The prisoner will then use the money to buy items from an approved canteen list.

Mr. Dyer said the move -- which also affects the prison farm and the co-ed facility -- has been taken to cut the risk of contraband being smuggled in.

He had hoped to have the new system in place by yesterday.

But due to delays in moving to the new prison, it would not come into effect until later.

"Families and friends can still bring items in on request and with the proper privilege forms,'' he added.

"There have been no further developments inside Casemates and we have agreed to meet with the inmates regularly to keep them abreast of the changes.''