The Government is hiring 27 new corrections officers to provide relief to staff who have reportedly worked under crisis conditions for years.

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, said it had been “heartening” to see the level of interest from Bermudian applicants in a recent national recruitment drive.

Her remarks came as she provided an update on measures to improve operations in the Department of Corrections.

Ms Wilkerson said that occupational specialists were being consulted to help inform improvements to workplace safety as well as mental wellness for staff.

Timothy Seon, the chairman of the Prison Officers Association, told The Royal Gazette it was his understanding that the department has been given clearance to hire up to 40 officers.

Even that figure falls short of the 100 Mr Seon said in December were needed to get back up to full capacity.

Ms Wilkerson said the 27 applicants were going through the final phases of recruitment before embarking on a 12-week introductory training course in June.

She added: “Corrections officers perform an often unseen but vitally important function within our criminal justice system. They deserve the full support of the ministry and the community.”

Ms Wilkerson will also meet department leaders and union representatives in the coming weeks to continue talks.

The agenda will include an in-depth review of shift schedules, health and safety practices, and other operational concerns.

“I understand there is a need for support for corrections officers, not only in numbers but in the conditions under which they serve,” she said.

“They work in an environment that is inherently high-pressure, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure their wellbeing is protected and their voices are heard.

“We recognise that a modern correctional system is built not only on physical infrastructure but on its officers' professionalism, morale and resilience. Supporting them must remain at the forefront of our reform efforts.”

Mr Seon said 40 new hires would provide some relief to present officers, some of whom he said were contending with burnout.

Mr Seon told The Royal Gazette: “They [the department] have been greenlighted for 40 more prison officers, they have been cleared to recruit. There is motion but we have not seen change as of yet. I know that they have seen some individuals locally but are also seeking to hire overseas.

“It will definitely help having an additional 40 officers — we can address the staff burnout and address the gaps in security that are being stretched because of shortage of staff.”

Mr Seon said that because of the staffing deficit, officers have not been able to get promoted because they were needed on the front line.

He added: “You can’t promote until you bolster your frontline officers and ranks.”

Mr Seon said in December that the rehabilitative and educational programmes for inmates were underfunded, some with no staff to deliver them.

Asked this week about progress in this area, he said he was not aware of any.

The Government allocated $400,000 from a social services package in September to improve programming, expand vocational and rehabilitative training, and support much needed facility upgrades.

Ms Wilkerson said: “Our approach is deliberate and continuous.

“We are not simply responding to challenges — we are committed to building a department that functions with excellence, fairness and dignity for all involved.”