The Caribbean and UK Territories prisons conference kicked off yesterday against a backdrop of unrest in the host country.

More than 25 delegates from Jamaica, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks & Caicos were greeted by the Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton at the Mutual Support Conference's opening ceremony at the Grotto Bay Hotel.

Bermuda's prison officers had already voted to boycott the conference and the unrest that saw a strike to attempt to displace Prisons Commissioner John Prescod earlier this year was not ignored during the opening session's pleasantries.

"I have no doubt that all present will agree that the work of the corrections professional is fraught with challenges," Mr. Horton told the delegates.

"Perhaps no one present would agree with that view more strongly than Bermuda's Commissioner of Corrections Colonel John Prescod, who a few years ago experienced enormous challenges in his native Jamaica and is now experiencing something of a challenge in the Bermuda setting.

"On that subject, I will say only this. I am confident that the current difficulties in Bermuda's Department of Corrections will be ameliorated soon. I am confident that reason, integrity and professionalism will rule the day.

"I am equally confident that the current difficulties will have no negative impact upon the warmth of the welcome that will be extended to you whilst here."

When Mr. Prescod took the lectern to deliver his opening remarks to the conference, he also hinted at the domestic disquiet.

"I look forward to playing my part to getting the dialogue going to deal with all outstanding issues. I am fully committed to that," he said.

The three-day conference opened with the traditional Bermuda welcome followed by UK advisor Christopher Gibbard telling delegates that much could be achieved by working together and sharing "experience and knowledge".