The widow of murder victim Mr. Roger Redman yesterday told The Royal Gazette nothing has been done to allay her fears that the man who killed her husband nine years ago may be freed.

Last month Mrs. Veronica Redman wrote a letter to Social Services Minister the Hon. Harry Soares, expressing her fear that convicted murderer Troy Shorter was "working his way'' toward parole.

"My husband is gone forever and Mr. Shorter should be incarcerated for the rest of his life,'' she wrote.

Her letter was spurred by a report that Shorter -- who shot Hayward's Supermarket owner Mr. Roger Redman in the back of the head during a hold-up in July, 1986 and escaped from prison four years ago -- had been moved from maximum to medium security and was in possession of prison keys during a recent mini-riot at the Westgate Correctional Facility.

"If Mr. Shorter has escaped from maximum security and has stolen keys while in medium security, it can only be perceived that he is trying to escape again,'' she said.

But Social Services Minister the Hon. Harry Soares tried to allay Mrs.

Redman's fears.

In a letter delivered to her this week, Mr. Soares wrote: "I appreciate the horrible memories that must have been recalled to your mind by the recent incident at the Westgate Correctional Facility.

"Please understand that I and the staff of the Ministry, including the Commissioner of Prisons, feel a deep sense of sympathy and understanding for your position.

"I hope it will help you to know two things. First, there was never any danger during this incident that the prisoner Troy Shorter, or indeed any prisoner, might have escaped. The keys which were lost were neither capable of providing access to any prison exit nor to any sensitive area within the prison complex.'' "Second,'' he said, "contrary to the impression some people have formed, I am told, Shorter assisted the authorities to locate the keys.'' However, Mr. Soares said while Shorter was sentenced to life imprisonment, the sentence did not make him ineligible for parole.

But, he added: "You can be assured that every effort will be made to ensure that Mr. Shorter does not escape from custody.'' He pointed out that he had asked for a review of the classification system for prisoners. "I apologise for the horrible memories that the incident must have brought back,'' he concluded. "You have my heart felt sympathy.'' But when contacted yesterday, Mrs. Redman said she was not satisfied with Mr.

Soares' letter.

"It didn't take me any further,'' she stressed. "He has not allayed my fears.'' When asked about Shorter's recent claims -- to the Bermuda Sun newspaper -- that due to the death of his mother and son he has suffered just as much as Mr. Redman's family, Mrs. Redman said: "That has nothing to do with me. I'm not responsible for his losses. But he is for my husband's death.'' Mrs. Redman said she did not know whether or not she would take further action in light of her concerns and fears.