prisoners back into normal life will open on November 1 for up to 20 people.

Prison Commissioner Edward Dyer said: "It's an opportunity to gradually release them back into the community, with someone advocating for employment or advocating for housing.

"You can get fairly institutionalised in the system.

"We are looking at breaking this down, with former prisoners gradually taking on more responsibilities rather than going straight out and somebody having an apartment and they don't even know how to clean the place properly.

"Responsibilities would be introduced such as shopping and cleaning. They may not have even done this before they went inside, with wives and mothers doing this.

Mr. Dyer continued: "They get some pretty sharp shocks when they go out and somebody says: `You've been in prison. I don't want to see you'.'' "Most people, who go into the half-way-out house will have a job with the pre-release system where people are working outside before they leave prison.'' However the former jail birds will have to pay rent to stay in the half-way house.

"You don't live anywhere in Bermuda without any cost,'' said Mr. Dyer.

"It's not alternative housing. Six months is the limit. If you can't find a job or a house we would suggest the Salvation Army or some other place.''