for a wide-ranging Government inquiry.

They came from Prison Officers Association chairman Mr. Russell Richardson and the Progressive Labour Party.

Mr. Richardson said morale among Prison staff was already low.

And last Friday's drugs search by Policemen with sniffer dogs "was the straw that broke the camel's back''.

Mr. Richardson said he would be urging his members to meet Premier the Hon.

Sir John Swan.

He wanted Government to probe the management of the Prison Department.

But last night Government backed Commissioner of Prisons Mr. Ed Dyer, who had ordered the search at the Ferry Reach Prison Farm.

Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said it had been sparked by rumours of drugs.

"The good news is no drugs were found, and the rumour-mongers should be quiet,'' he said.

Mr. Edness also cast doubt on claims of low morale.

"I think people are exaggerating.'' Mr. Edness said he regularly met with Prison officers. Many complaints were "administrative''.

"There is nothing so alarming that cannot be rectified.'' News of the drugs operation was revealed to the House of Assembly on Friday by Shadow Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome.

He said he had heard officers at the Prison Farm were forced to stand in a line.

"I have it from a fairly high level source that prison officers were lined up while dogs were brought into the yard to sniff around them.'' Later Mr. Bascome said he understood officers had been "tricked'' into going to the Prison Farm.

They had been told about a "transition meeting'' to help prepare them for the move to the new Prison, said Mr. Bascome.

"A number of things have gone wrong with the Prison service, and I think there needs to be an inquiry,'' he said. "I also believe Mr. Edness should sit down with the Prison officers to discuss any problems.'' Today Mr. Dyer will be meeting a senior Prison officer about the search.

"I would like to make it clear this was not a raid. I invited the Police to assist us,'' Mr. Dyer said yesterday.

"Over the years there have been allegations that the staff brought in drugs.

"I wanted to check these allegations, which have not been proved in this occasion in any way.'' Mr. Dyer said the officers association was informed last year about proposals for a random drugs search.

He understood about 12 officers were searched by two Policemen with dogs.

"They were not stripped or anything. I think the dogs just sniffed them.'' Mr. Dyer said he would be getting details of the search from a senior officer who was present.

"I am aware there was some concern about the process. I did get a call from one of the officers who was upset.'' Mr. Dyer said he had heard reports of low morale, adding: "There is some evidence morale is low.'' Mr. Richardson said his association was "upset and dismayed'' by the search.

It had been carried out in public view and it exposed officers to "ridicule'' from inmates and the public.

Mr. Richardson said the association had met with Mr. Dyer and Mr. Edness over the past six months to discuss problems.

"The number one item on our list was staff morale.'' He added Mr. Edness had been told at a January 25 meeting that morale was low -- although the Minister denied this yesterday.

"The action of Friday 4th February was the straw that broke the camel's back,'' said Mr. Richardson. "A meeting has been arranged with the Commissioner of Prisons after which the committee of the Prison Officers Association will meet to decide the next course of action.'' Mr. Richardson said he would be recommending a Government inquiry.