until Government solved staff shortages and over-crowding at the Island's jails which has led to some prisoners being forced to sleep on the floor.

Chairman of the Prison Officer's Association (POA) Michael Tuzo said the 190 prison workers would not be transporting inmates to court for hearings or for medical examinations, and had scrapped all educational and religious programmes, until positive steps were taken.

The Royal Gazette revealed yesterday how the POA had opted for action after numerous talks with Government failed.

From midnight on Thursday, the staff began a go-slow protest and many workers were said to be taking sick leave with complaints of stress.

And their action immediately kicked in yesterday morning, causing problems at Magistrates' Court because inmates due to appear before the court did not arrive.

Mr. Tuzo said the jails were overflowing with inmates to such an extent that one-man cells were now taking two people.

He said: "Where there was one person to a cell before, we now have many with two. We have got people sleeping on floors with just a mattress.

"This has not just happened, it has been building up for quite a while, but nobody has listened to us. Staff are working 18-hour shifts.

"We blame a lack of planning by the prison administration.

"We are taking industrial action because we have no choice.'' Yesterday, no prisoners were taken to Magistrates' Court for hearings, leading to a suggestion by Senior Magistrate Archie Warner that the prison staff were in contempt of court.

As an essential service, they are not supposed to take industrial action without at least 21 days notice.

Supreme Court hearings were not affected.

However, Mr. Tuzo said the workers were definitely not putting the security and safety of the prisons in jeopardy by taking a stand.

He added: "The one thing we are very clear on is that security will not be affected. That is our main focus.

"Apparently, we have been accused of being in contempt of court for failing to take people to court today.

"At the moment, we are not anticipating having to appear in court because of it. What else could we do?'' The chairman said inmates at the prisons were supportive of the industrial action, despite the loss of their regular programmes, because they, too, were concerned about overcrowding.

And he said he hoped to be meeting with Government labour relations officer Edwin Wilson on Monday to discuss the problems further.

Last night Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety MP Paula Cox was unavailable for comment.