Bermuda's prisons are facing a major crisis after the Island's only expert in reforming young offenders announced he was quitting.

Prison psychologist Dr. Mike Burkhead, who also runs rehabilitation programmes for sex convicts and other prisoners at the Co-ed Facility, is returning to the US.

The news comes just a day after a 19-year-old Co-ed inmate claimed she was raped by two prison officers at the Ferry Reach lock-up.

The Royal Gazette has learned that prison chiefs still have no replacement lined up for Dr. Burkhead -- and will have to do without a specialist young offenders' psychologist for around three months.

Westgate psychologist Dr. Christopher Sneider, who specialises in treating sex offenders, could now be forced to split his time between the West End and the East End.

Former Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess, who beefed up prison treatment programmes, sounded an immediate call for action last night.

And he warned there could be an increase in rapes and sex attacks unless rehabilitation was given the highest priority under the PLP Government.

"I would urge the new Government, with post haste, to go out and look for a suitable replacement as quickly and as expeditiously as possible,'' said Mr.

Burgess, now the Opposition Leader in the Senate.

"Failure to do that puts at risk the treatment of offenders with sex-related crimes, in particular, a much greater risk.

"The timing is crucial, especially with what's alleged to have taken place down at the Co-ed Facility. I plead with the Government to get onto this forthwith.

"The new Government made it their platform that rehabilitation would take place in a real way and I shall be watching this situation with an eagle eye.'' Dr. Burkhead revealed he was leaving next Wednesday to take up a new post in North Carolina.

"I'm leaving because I obtained a new job and it's really as simple as that,'' he said.

"I haven't been asked to find a replacement but the Prisons Service does have another psychologist, Dr. Sneider.

"I specialise in juvenile services and anger management but I do come into frequent contact with sex offenders down at the Prison Farm.

"The main programme for them is at Westgate and I imagine Dr. Sneider will split his time between there and Ferry Reach for the time being.'' Search on for prison psychologist Lynn Hall, chairman of the Prison Officers Association, added: "We know that Dr. Burkhead is leaving soon but so far there is no replacement for him.

"It is just too soon to tell if that is going to cause major problems.'' But Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer said officials would now seek to find a replacement.

And he said a prison officer would continue Dr. Burkhead's work until a full-time pyschologist could be found.

"We will be replacing Dr. Burkhead,'' he said. "In anticipation of his departure, so that the current programmes can continue, one of the case workers will fill in.

Public Safety Minister Paula Cox added: "I'm glad Maxwell Burgess shares our concerns about rehabilitation and Dr. Burkhead will be sorely missed.

"But I have certainly had assurances from Mr. Dyer that this is not going to be a vacancy which remains unfilled for an inordinately long time.''