Armed with photographs of illegal drugs, cash and cellphones, Prison Officers Association President Craig Clarke has warned it’s just a matter of time before there is all-out anarchy at Bermuda’s maximum security prison.But almost as quickly as the photographs were posted on the internet, Commissioner of Corrections Edward Lamb hit back charging the POA’s assertion was grossly out of order.In a statement released to The Royal Gazette, Mr Lamb said: “I think it is rather pessimistic to use the term ‘anarchy’ because that implies a lack of command and control on the part of officers.“There is no doubt that a segment of our population show little or no regard for authority. Having to deal with a ‘new breed of criminal’ requires constant vigilance, use of intelligence information and strict adherence to policies and procedures,” said the Commissioner.“There is no question about my concerns for the welfare and safety of my officers and staff. This is not a matter I take lightly and I have made this point to all and sundry on countless occasions.”POA members gathered at the Devonshire Rec yesterday where the chairman said: “It may be time for the Commissioner to go look for greener pastures or go somewhere, he may not be the right man to lead the Bermuda Department of Corrections, but that’s my opinion.”The comment triggered a big round of applause by association members.When asked if he had the support of his officers at a press conference called by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Kim Wilson, Mr Lambe replied: “Yes I do believe I have the support of the majority of my staff.”Apart from the call for a full-scale review the POA’s biggest concern is the health and safety of prison officers and inmates due to the increasing young inmate population at Westgate Correctional Facility.“They have a totally different mentality from 20 years ago,” said Mr Clarke. “The majority of these inmates come into the system with some form of gang affiliations, it is becoming increasingly alarming to maintain this inmate population in a sterile, safe environment.“We have officers facing dangerous situations daily to try to curtail the constant threats that seem to be breaching our perimeters. We are finding more weapons, seizing more drugs and unthorised items from within our perimeter walls.“The days of continuing to maintain the veil of secrecy of what our officers are faced with must end, not enough is being done to make our prison system a safer place.”And he accused Government of “not listening”, with a “total disregard” for the POA’s concerns. “It is time for the politics, the sound bites, the rhetoric and the misinformation to stop, one cannot play politics with officers and inmates’ lives,” said Mr Clarke.“The Government must begin to take the requests of the POA more seriously or they will have to explain to the general public why the prison system erupted into full-scale anarchy.“Bermuda be under no illusion that this cannot happen, we still have the chance to fix the problem if people will engage and listen to the men and women who make up the Bermuda Department of Corrections.”Mr Clarke said he has even been accused senior Government officials of exaggerating the situation. “This Government has lost touch completely,” he said. “It’s time for Government to wake up, pay attention and see the sign of the times because we keep living in this country as if everything is okay.“They need to take the blinders off and get serious about prison reform, and until they have the will to do it we’re going to continue to fight this battle yearly, day in every month.“They are not going to face the reality of where Bermuda is, and when they begin to face reality then Bermuda will be a better place to live in.”Minister of Justice Kim Wilson expressed disappointment. “I am dismayed and concerned by the comments of the chair of the POA concerning security and operations within the Department of Corrections, “ said the Ms Wilson.“From the outset, the Ministry has always maintained as a priority the safety of the officers and inmates in our corrections facilities.“It should be clear that the Bermuda Government is committed to ensuring the optimum working conditions for our men and women within the Bermuda Corrections Department.“Government is taking tangible steps to address the concerns and I am satisfied that such matters are being progressed as diligently as possible.“We all face challenges, not insurmountable, to prevent the distribution of unauthorised items. It is an ongoing challenge to prevent contraband from entering our facilities.Ms Wilson said the prison review will be conducted by the Department of Management Services and that the terms of reference were identified and agreed to by the POA. It will include interviews with “officers on the front line, past commissioners and officers to deal with aspects of policy, leadership, management, operations infrastructure as well as legislative reform”.When asked how officers should deal with the “new breed of criminals” in the interim, the Minister replied: “I’m going rely on the commissioner, that’s more of an operational question however, I would add that the processes and procedures that are in place operating within the department under the direction of the Commissioner are in accordance with international best practice.’Mr Lamb said: “The young men coming through our doors today do come with far more issues than in the past.“But what that requires is more vigilance and a more thorough process on how we perform our duties as well as utilising the resources that we have at our disposal, no its not an easy task.“I don’t like the term a ‘new breed of criminal’ because I think that’s rather derogatory because they are human after all. These are young men haven’t had the necessary tools and training prior to getting to our doors.“Its up to us now to assess them and make sure that we change how we manage them, its simply a question of managing these inmates.”Meanwhile Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier said: “The problems raised by the prison officers are serious and echo larger problems felt by the people of Bermuda. Their situation echoes the same safety concerns felt across the island.“The prison officers took their well-documented concerns directly to the Premier. Since then, we’ve heard that government officials have said the prison officers are exaggerating the situation,” said Mr Cannonier.“It’s the same situation Bermudians have felt time and again on any number of issues — the Government simply does not do anything until they are forced to.”He applauded the POA for “taking strong action to make their case clear”, and to the Government, Mr Cannonier said: “Deal with the POA’s concerns. Wake up and govern!”