Defence force officers have been placed in sections of Her Majesty's Prisons (HMP) since Friday after a significant number of prison officers called in sick, according to Superintendent Dr. Elliston Rahming.
Rahming said 35 percent of the prison's staff called in sick and had not returned to work up to yesterday, although he maintained that operations are normal at the prison.
He revealed that prison recruits, who have entered the apprenticeship program at HMP, have also pitched in to maintain order.
"There is no undue security risk," Rahming told The Nassau Guardian.
"We have a number of prison officers who are turning up to work. They are being assisted, and they are doing an excellent job."
For security reasons, he declined to disclose the number of Defence Force officers stationed at the prison.
At a press conference yesterday, executives of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas (NCTUB) and its affiliate, the Bahamas Prison Officers Association (BPOA), said prison administrators, as well as the present and past governments have failed to address the majority of prison officers' concerns.
"The brave men and women charged with overseeing the care and protection of inmates have been subjected to deplorable and dangerous conditions that have caused short and long-term illnesses to the point where they are unable to work," said NCTUB President Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson at the press conference at the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union's headquarters on Horse Shoe Drive.
However, National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest said the government has done "a great deal" to address these concerns.
"I think if you compare what we have done, compared with any other administration you would have to conclude that we have done a great deal," Turnquest said.
This is the third time prison officers have conducted a sick-out "just weeks before a general election", according to Dr. Rahming.
Isaacs-Dotson said the actions taken by the officers are not politically motivated.
She also said the umbrella union will increase its public campaign "and do what it must", including taking legal action to ensure HMP staff work in a "safe and healthy environment".
Last month, NCTUB threatened industrial action over labor issues it claimed were outstanding, such as insufficient drinking water for staff; poorly functioning running water facilities in the prison; the perimeter wall not being completed after more than five years and the roof of the maximum security wing needing repairs.
Rahming claimed many of the issues are longstanding, "beyond the scope of the prison itself and many of them are just outright not true", although he did not elaborate.
Turnquest said the Defence Force officers stationed at the prison have the necessary training and qualifications to properly carry out prison duties.
Defence Force officers were recently called on to work at Lynden Pindling International Airport when the union that represents customs and immigration officers took industrial action over outstanding issues in its industrial agreement.
When asked if the Defence Force was being stretched by the recent actions of unions, Turnquest said: "It means that they can't do their regular duties, but they are called upon to fill in when there are some national security concerns."
He said he was of the understanding that the association's concerns were resolved, or being resolved, and has maintained an open door policy for its executives.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian