Senior prison officials and Police were yesterday drafted in to escort inmates who had to leave prison to attend court.

The reserve troops were called up after wardens, who normally carry out the task of transporting prisoners, began industrial action in a bid to increase staff levels.

Yesterday five prisoners were taken to court by high ranking prison officers normally assigned administrative duties -- four from Westgate Correctional Facility and one from the Co-ed Facility.

And Police vehicles were used to ferry the prisoners to the Island's court houses.

Last night Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer explained that the contingency plan had worked well and that the day had gone smoothly without any major disruption.

The Commissioner refused to be drawn on whether he sympathised with his staff's action or if he thought it would end speedily, although he was hopeful that a resolution would be reached.

He added that meetings to resolve the dispute were taking place yesterday afternoon, although he himself would not be attending.

"There wasn't a problem -- other staff filled in for them,'' Mr. Dyer said.

But a Police spokesman later added that the action did cause a major headache for the service as officers, already short staffed, had to cope with the extra workload.

"We were approached about this issue on Friday afternoon and senior officers at headquarters have spent the weekend redeploying officers to accommodate the transfer of prisoners to the courts and back,'' the spokesman said.

"Task force officers have been used in this while accompanied by other uniformed personnel.

"But while we have been able to cope and will be able to assist the Prison Service for as long as this action continues, it has come at an ill-advised time for the Police Service as we are undermanned ourselves.'' The Island's 150 or so Prison Association members voted to take the action last Thursday. The contingency plan was drawn up after Mr. Dyer was informed of the impending action on Friday afternoon.

Wardens claim they are understaffed by up to 25 percent at Westgate, with fewer than 100 officers currently working at the correctional facility.

POLICE POL