The Island's prison officers have called off their threat of industrial action after last-minute talks with Government.

Last week a spokesman for the officers said action would be "spontaneous, quick and decisive''.

But speaking after last night's two-hour membership meeting, Prison Officers Association president Michael Tuzo said talks with Government earlier that day over long-term plans to ease overcrowding had forced a rethink.

He told The Royal Gazette : "We sat down and talked with the Permanent Secretary this morning and there was some very meaningful dialogue so right now we are monitoring the situation.

"And hopefully within the next three weeks we will have a more definitive answer to the situation we find ourselves in.'' He said there were also other issues, but refused to elaborate. However, recently the prison officers have been vocal on understaffing, the Ministry's slowness to make a decision on promotions, security measures, the lack of an emergency response team and worsening conditions inside the Westgate Correctional facility.

Mr. Tuzo said: "I don't want to get into that right now. We have ongoing dialogue with the Permanent Secretary. We came to an understanding this morning and with their initiatives we will hold off for now. We'll see how those initiatives pan out.

"We have another meeting with the Permanent Secretary on August 1 and we will have a better idea of where we are then.'' UNIONS UNS