Prison Commissioner Hubert Dean has had his contract extended to two years from six months after helping to turn the service around.

He was appointed on a short-term basis after Lt. Col. John Prescod was sacked after clashing with staff and failing to implement reforms. Mr. Prescod?s two deputies were also removed.

Mr. Dean, who spent 14 years as Assistant Commissioner before retiring in mid 2002, was praised yesterday by Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton for the impact he has made since his return in August.

He said morale, which had been at rock-bottom under Mr. Prescod, had surged ahead with prison officers working well with management.

Mr. Horton said there was still much to be concerned about with overcrowding, inadequate rehabilitative, education and vocational programmes for inmates and failures in the parole process.

He was also concerned about inadequate officer training and the high percentage of repeat offenders while the use of drugs was of the highest concern.

But he said progress had been made in all such areas in the last three months.

A review panel into the prison recommended two overseas prison leaders be appointed but the success of Mr. Dean has meant that only one was needed, said Mr. Horton.

The appointment is likely to start early next year, he added.