review as a "pre-election con job''.

And he told the review committee's English chairman Judge Stephen Tumim he was being "unwittingly used'' by Government.

"I think it's time for Bermudians to take charge of their country,'' Mr. Hall added.

His outburst came at a two-and-a-half hour public forum on the criminal justice system.

It was later firmly denounced by Health and Social Services Minister, the Hon.

Quinton Edness, who attended the meeting.

"Mr. Hall was well off base. No one should be misled -- this is not a political ploy,'' said Mr. Edness.

"What we are intending to do will extend far beyond the next election.'' Last night's forum at St. Paul's Centennial Hall, Hamilton, was attended by about 100 people.

Anger and burning resentment by many blacks over the justice system was its hallmark.

They loosed off a barrage of complaints and suggestions for improvement before a guest panel of speakers.

These included: An end to juvenile incarceration.

Setting up family courts.

English Police officers discriminating against blacks.

Inherent racism in the justice system.

Wiping the wandering abroad offence -- a hang-over from the days of slavery -- from the statute book.

Guest speakers included barrister Mr. Richard Hector; Dr. Eva Hodgson, from the National Association for Reconciliation; Mrs. Sheelagh Cooper, from the National Symposium on Children at Risk; Mr. Glenn Caines, from Prison Fellowship, Bermuda; Mr. Lowdru Robinson, justice review committee member; and Judge Tumim.

Mr. Hector warned about previous reports on the criminal justice review gathering dust.

And he added: "The system will not improve by legislation. It will become better only if you the people wish it.'' Mr. Hector said Bermuda had to pull together as a small community, and warned of the knock-on effect of injustice.

Bitterness among young blacks stemmed from the way they were treated by Police -- and affected Bermudians.

"They are affected how Police treat and approach young people in the streets,'' said Mr. Hector.

"They are affected by the fact that Police officers, perhaps because of their background, treat alleged black offenders differently from other sections of the community.

"They are affected by the way people are treated after they are arrested and put into custody.'' He added: "People become disenchanted with the system. They feel they are treated wrongly and rebel whenever they have the opportunity.'' Dr. Hodgson separated out three categories of black prisoners.

"There are those who should be there. There are those there because of social anger and frustration, and there are those who are the victims of deliberate viciousness and vindictiveness of someone with power, perhaps a policeman.'' Mrs. Cooper said many people were already "damaged'' before entering Casemates.

"Prison is just another dehumanising experience and offers no deterrent at all.'' Mr. Caines spoke of a shared responsibility for improving the system.

"The responsibility of making it right is between Government and the community, from every home to Parliament.'' Mr. Robinson picked out mutual respect between people as one of the essential ingredients for success.