Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess knocked the Island's prison system for failing to reform inmates.

And yesterday he unveiled Government plans to offer offenders an alternative to prison which he believes will give them a greater chance of staying on the straight and narrow.

The programme, which could be up and running by next year, will offer offenders the chance to go on a rehabilitation course in a bid to make them responsible citizens.

Although he failed to condemn the prison system outright, Mr. Burgess did say that it was failing to break the vicious circle repeat offenders find themselves in.

"The prison system is producing a level of recidivists that has got to be unacceptable,'' he said.

"It is hard to say, but those going in and out of prison are giving up more than their time now -- they are giving up their futures, their chance to have happy, successful and productive lives. They are giving up the great opportunities that the future holds.

"I am not prepared to stand by and watch this happen. I will not allow generations to be lost.'' The Minister has just returned from a fact finding mission in Scotland to examine the Airborne Initiative -- a programme for repeat offenders that forces them to face their responsibilities, teaches them values and life skills and offers training and employment opportunities.

The programme has been running for four years and deals with about 100 young criminals a year. Offenders, housed in a hostel, are sent out on challenging outdoor activities to teach them team work, self esteem and self discipline.

There is also discussion programmes, training opportunities and an after care system.

Only one third of criminals sent on the Scottish programme go on to re-offend while 80 percent of regular prison inmates will continue their life of crime once released.

The programme's developers, Bermudian Major General Glen Gilbert and Major General Andrew Whitehead, are now visiting the Island to see how their Scottish model can be adapted to fit Bermuda.

"I have seen this programme myself in operation and it works,'' Mr. Burgess said.

"It has given young Scottish men a chance -- it has given them hope for a new future. We believe it can have the same effect in Bermuda.

"The concept is a simple one. It teaches by example. It reinforces feelings of self worth and it provides life skills that will get these young men on the road to the future.

"Let me be clear when I say this is not a soft option. Those that know me know that soft options are not my way of doing business. It can't be soft if it is to bring about a new way of life and new choices. Many of the participants said it was harder than spending time in prison. That's good, that's where real change comes from. Fuzzy words and fuzzy thinking on these issues get you nowhere.

"This is real. It is part of the solution and it will happen. My commitment is that opportunity is not only for the successful in life. If it is to be real, if it is to be shared, everyone must have a shot.

"Our young men who have taken the wrong path will have a shot. No other option is available to me or to this Government. We must break the cycle to open up the world to our young men and I know that this programme can be one important weapon in our arsenal to achieve this goal.'' Although the plan is still in its early stages, Major Generals Gilbert and Whitehead hope to come up with a proposal for a rehabilitation centre for the Island within two months.

Maxwell Burgess