A hard-hitting anti-violence youth summit could be a shining example to the rest of the world.

Around 500 young people took part in the ground-breaking event at CedarBridge Academy on Saturday night -- with the main feature being a live TV link-up with prisoners at Westgate prison.

Projected on to a large screen at the college, the CCTV link was the first of its kind and enabled youngsters to speak directly to selected prisoners, who were in for crimes such as murder, manslaughter and drug-related offences.

Co-producer Gina Spence said the impact was visibly measurable on the youngsters, who sat for nearly an hour as inmates answered questions on violence and discussed the consequences of violent crime.

"When these guys shared their experiences the children applauded,'' she said.

"They were saying to them `you don't want to come here, it isn't what you think it might be like', they were very attentive to the prisoners.'' And because of the proximity of the men on a small Island, the exercise really brought the crime-doesn't-pay message home to the audience, more than a US-made programme might, she added.

"Some of the children knew these guys, to have them on a one-to-one basis was a real reality check for Bermuda. That was one of the most realistic points for us.

"No one could tell the stories better.'' The event, which was part organised by Bermuda Broadcasting Company, was the culmination of a week-long anti-violence campaign at CedarBridge.

It was hosted by Gabrielle Dennis, from Teen Summit on Black Entertainment TV.

Rick Richardson, CEO of the BBC, organised the TV link-up and was at Westgate as the broadcast was going out.

He said the event was a success, and the impact of the prison question-and-answer session was immense.

"One man was asked why he went and did something, and he said it was done out of fear, he needed to show that he was the boss -- and it was over a bag of marijuana,'' he said.

After the link-up, the youngsters took part in a discussion about what they had heard.

Later, there was entertainment, including song and dance -- all on the theme of anti-violence.

Mr. Richardson said the event -- which had the blessing of Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness -- was the second part of a youth summit held at the Number One Shed recently.