Acting prisons chief Bryan Payling last night revealed he had tendered his resignation. Mr. Payling said he would be returning to the UK at the end of April next year — five months earlier than scheduled — because of family reasons.

His replacement as Commissioner of Corrections will be former Bermuda Regiment boss Eddie Lamb, who has been shadowing Mr. Payling as Commissioner Designate since his appointment four months ago.

Government had originally planned for Lt. Col. Lamb to receive 11 months' training, from August this year, before assuming the role. Officials had said they recognised he had no experience working in a corrections department and hoped the spell as Commissioner Designate would give him a good grounding.

However, former UK prison chief Mr. Payling insisted Mr. Lamb would be sufficiently qualified to make the step up by April.

Confirming he had handed in his resignation, Mr. Payling said: "I'm only leaving a few months earlier than planned. My wife and I have a few things to attend to in England that require us to go back.

"I was asked to be the commissioner and to assist specifically with the development and preparation of Colonel Lamb.

"In terms of that aspect of my role, Colonel Lamb will have completed the bulk of his preparation by the time I leave.

"Although the original plan was for Colonel Lamb to shadow me for a year, I believe that's not necessary.

"I'm very happy that the selection was the right one, and that by the time I leave he will be fully ready."

He added that Lt. Col. Lamb would undergo more training sessions in England and possibly Canada over the next few months.

Mr. Payling joined the Department of Corrections as a consultant in September 2005 and admitted he was "surprised" when he was asked to take over as commissioner just one year later.

He stressed his early departure was "nothing dramatic".

"I came here for two months, and will have been here for 19 months," he explained. "It's not as though I'm cutting and running or there are any issues around my departure. All plans are susceptible to change once you come into reality.