their plans for prisons.

During the Crime and its Effect on the Bermuda Community event this week, organisers hope to get some pledges on recommendations -- some of which have been on the table for years.

Organised by Prison Fellowship Bermuda, the week of seminars will be attended by representatives from the legal profession, prison service and inmates.

The event will focus on rehabilitation, alternative sentencing, methods of reducing crime and the cost of crime.

Attending the conference are representatives from Canada, the US, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Island and Antigua.

Keynote speeches will be given by World President of the Prison Fellowship International, Ron Nikkel, and leading authority on restorative justice Steve Varnham.

Prison Fellowship Bermuda spokesman Jack Harris said the presence of other countries and experts would raise the profile of the issues and could finally get some action.

The six recommendations -- made to Premier Pamela Gordon in 1997 -- include a resettlement office, alternative sentencing, progressive sanctions and rehabilitation programmes.