A teenage inmate claims she was raped by prison officers at the Co-ed Facility -- and fears she may be pregnant.

Last night The Royal Gazette learned three prison officers had been suspended over "allegations of impropriety''.

The 19-year-old British woman -- serving six years for drugs offences -- alleged she was assaulted by two male prison officers in January after she became intoxicated at the Ferry Reach centre.

And afterwards the officers reportedly threatened her, saying she would face serious consequences if she told anyone of the incident.

Last night, prison officials confirmed that three officers had been suspended over allegations of impropriety at the Co-ed Facility. It is understood that the teenager has had a pregnancy test but has yet to receive the results.

Last night, her mother, speaking from London, said she believed "100 percent'' in what her daughter had told her over the phone.

"My daughter went to prison to serve a sentence and now I find out she is not even safe in there,'' she said.

"I am thousands of miles away, there is not much I can do. I want her brought back to the UK to complete her sentence, where I know she is safe.

"She told me about it a couple of days ago, she is being very calm -- a lot calmer than me.'' Police and prison authorities have both confirmed that allegations have been made but have refused to comment further on the alleged claims.

A statement from Commissioner of Prisons, Edward Dyer, said: "I can confirm that we have investigated allegations against three officers and while the investigation was going on, we took the position that it would not be appropriate for these officers to remain on duty.

"At this stage they are only allegations and until all the information is gathered, we will not know if there are any grounds to these allegations.'' He added that Prison officials had completed their initial probe and the matter was now in the hands of the Police.

The girl, from London, is currently serving a six-year sentence for smuggling heroin into Bermuda. She was imprisoned for importing and possessing $66,000 of the drug on a commercial flight from London. She told a court her boyfriend had asked her to bring the drugs.

Yesterday, lawyer Mark Pettingill confirmed that he had been instructed by a client, but said he could not comment further on the claims.

"I am aware that a matter is under investigation, and should certain allegations be substantiated I will consider the matter further,'' he said.

The girl's mother said her daughter had admitted her guilt and was prepared to serve her time. But she said she would now lobby MPs in the UK in a bid to have her daughter brought back home. A Police spokesman said they had received a complaint from one of the Island's prisons and confirmed that an investigation was under way.

CRIME CRM