THE PRISON Governor is to carry a weapon 24-hours a day and be shadowed by a personal bodyguard in the wake of threats to his life following a series of arson attacks against prison officials this month.

Police believe that criminals at large, in league with prison inmates, have orchestrated the recent explosions, which targeted one retired prison warden and two others still in the prison service.

The precautionary measures were agreed at a meeting yesterday morning chaired by President Glafcos Clerides and attended by Attorney-general Alecos Markides, Justice Minister Nicos Koshis and prison governor Harilaos Themistocleous.

Koshis said death threats against Themistocleous and other wardens had come from several sources.

Three other seniors wardens also have presidential approval to arm themselves 24 hours a day.

"Because the information is from two or three sources, we can't ignore it. Our principle is that when we get a tip off, we take measures first, then we investigate it," said Koshis.

The governor will be allowed to select his own bodyguard from his warden staff.

The need to speed up work on two new prison wings was also discussed at the meeting.

Despite the recent release of 60 prisoners, there are still 300 inmates living in a building built for 220.