crumbling prison system, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox revealed yesterday.

And last night Prison Officers Association boss Lynn Hall welcomed the news of a major top-to-bottom look at the state of the Island's prison system.

He said: "It's about time for somebody to look into the prisons, so I would say it's good news.

"It sounds nice. I'm still a bit sceptical, but it sounds nice -- and the sooner he gets here, the better.'' But Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said action was needed -- not another study.

The review is likely to be carried out by the UK's Caribbean-based Prison Reform Coordinator.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney confirmed: "The Deputy Governor's office is pursuing this. I'm waiting for calls back.

"The Foreign Office employs two or three advisors who are based regionally and he is one of them.'' Mr. Hall -- whose organisation is still taking industrial action over a manpower crisis -- added he was pleased that the Minister had stressed her intention to consult with the rank-and-file.

But he added: "I would hope she would do more than consult and ask for concrete advice.

"If we're going to be the ones who work it, we have to be part of it.'' Ms Cox told the House of Assembly yesterday that she was "greatly impressed by the sincerity'' of Association representatives when she met them earlier this week.

She said: "Over the years there has been a sense of frustration about staffing failures and past failures to implement past studies and reviews of the Prison Service.

"This Government recognises the shortcomings in the Prison Service and we're determined to do something about it.'' But she insisted: "It's not this Government's style to adopt quick fixes -- we're more fiscally responsible.'' And Ms Cox compared the review of the Prison Service to the "core functions review'' being carried out in the Police force.

She said: "This Government's commitment to improve the Prison Service is no less robust, but people must understand this takes time.'' And she hinted that staffing -- a major complaint -- could be increased by using up to nine Prison officers on temporary contracts to fill vacant posts in the service.

Mr. Hall said he hoped the UK expert would take a hard look at the "top heavy'' management structure in the Prison Service.

He added: "He might find that's where the problem actually lies. If, in any comprehensive review, it's started at the top then goes down, that would be fine.

"One thing's for sure -- if they got rid of all these Commissioners, we would be able to get more staff.'' Ms Cox said she could not prejudge the results of an outside review -- but insisted there were "no no-go areas'' for the probe.

UK expert to study prisons She added: "It was quite clear in terms of prison management that these areas, how it should be structured and leadership comes into it.

"There are a lot of issues -- even things like drugs. You can't tell me that you can't stop that in a prison. It's a controlled environment.'' Ms Cox said: "People do think you can wave a magic wand and change things and you can't -- but I am committed to seeing change in the Prison Service.'' But Mr. Dunkley said the United Bermuda Party was now "even more concerned'' after the Minister's statement.

He added: "To be blunt, there's nothing new in the statement -- except to acknowledge the fact that the Minister has been unable to persuade the Prison officers to resume their normal duties.

"It's full of platitudes aimed at reassuring the people involved, but it's also full of contradictions.

"On the one hand, we've had independent bodies doing studies and I would call for the Minister to put these in the public domain.

"On the other, I don't understand why we need another review. The UBP is even more concerned now.

"And I'd call on the Minister to set some dates so we can expect action -- really, Government is just waffling at the moment.''