Health and Family Services Minister Nelson Bascome has attacked the past Government's "dismal'' progress in providing a prisoners' halfway house.

But "rapid advancement'' was now occurring in the project -- promised by the then-United Bermuda Party Government before the 1993 election.

And he is to meet with Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox early next week to coordinate the plan which falls under the direction of four departments.

A demolition team was continuing work at one touted Dockyard site yesterday.

But Mr. Bascome said a handful of other potential sites for the complex had been earmarked for close inspection over the coming weeks.

Although the project now looked to be inching closer to fruition, he derided the previous Government's lack of progress.

"Yes, the halfway house is way behind schedule for the Island. It should have been built six years ago.

"It's dismal for Bermuda how it's been stalled and put off,'' the former substance abuse counsellor said.

"But this Government is not behind schedule at all with the project. We were elected less than two months ago and now things are finally happening to get this up and running.

"We are clearing one site right now and we're looking at other buildings around the Island and in the community which look like they could be adequate.'' He said the economic viability of different sites with a range of amenities were now being evaluated.

"We've got to consider all our options and weigh up each site's advantages, whether it's more feasible to renovate or build from scratch, the transport alternatives, things like that.

"But the funding is there.'' He would not reveal any more details until he had "touched base'' with Ms Cox.

"We are meeting next Tuesday to coordinate the Government's approach -- to make sure all of our efforts mesh.

"This is a delicate operation since it also falls under the auspices of Works and Engineering, Development and Opportunity and Labour and Home Affairs.'' But he said once prisoners left Westgate, it was up to Social Services to help them settle back into the community.