A ten-year sentence for stealing thousands of dollars of heroin wouldn't get pride of place on most people's CVs.

But for Shawn Crockwell, his spell in jail was perhaps just as important as his two honour degrees for qualifying him to run Work Inc., a programme to help ex-cons like himself find work after being released.

Mr. Crockwell began his job as Director of Operations of the registered charity last month.

Work Inc. is one of the key elements of the Government's Alternatives to Incarceration initiative which seeks to reverse recidivism rates running at around 80 percent.

And Mr. Crockwell knows all about turning his life around -- he's done it twice.

Once in 1995 when blew a promising law career by stealing nearly $600,000 of heroin whilst working as a Supreme Court clerk.

And again upon starting his prison sentence in February 1996 when he vowed to spend his life helping others.

He says: "As soon I was sentenced I gave a commitment to putting back into the community. Prisoners came to me for help on reading and writing.

"I can't quantify the damage I caused so I can't quantify the debt I owe. I am still very much aware of the negative impact of the damage I did.'' And the experience has given him an inside track on helping those like himself.

"I can go to Court Street and see individuals still by themselves in difficulty and be able to be a source of comfort.

"I have got a rapport with those in prison, I understand their plight.

"My experience is one of the reasons I was employed.'' Crockwell puts promise and prison experience to Work Inc.

"With my employment, the organisation has put its money where its mouth is.'' Westgate is not the holiday camp portrayed by some hardliners, said Mr.

Crockwell.

"It's difficult, it's violent. The loss of liberty is devastating. There is no value you can place on liberty.'' "I was 25 years old, obviously it was a huge transition.'' But it is the transition of prisoners back into society which most concerns him now.

"Currently people can't get work because of the stigma.'' "But we can address this problem so they get their self worth back to let them survive in society, to get them out of the mentality that will resort to a purse snatch to get by.'' But Mr. Crockwell stresses it was important the prison started the rehabilitation work before criminals were released.

Again Mr. Crockwell knows what he is talking about here.

He says: "While I was incarcerated I got a second class honours degree in law, I wrote a screen play which is constantly being shown around Bermuda schools.'' Although the full launch of Work Inc. is some months away, several ex-prisoners have already been helped into work.

One is an administrative assistant while another has been doing horticultural work. And a workshop in St. David's is already taking on carpentry projects.

Work Inc. will be running their own building, painting and woodwork projects but they also welcome approaches from employers willing to take someone on.

The National Training Board is also being enlisted to help train those without skills.

The clear gains for the community could include a reduced crime rate and a lower tax bill, says Mr. Crockwell.

Business backers for Work Inc. include Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd and BTC.

Anger management and drug treatment courses will form part of a package to help prisoners readjust.

And well qualified financial managers will be on hand to help prisoners manage their money and help them save.

Finding accommodation can be a tremendous problem for anyone in Bermuda but perhaps none more so than ex-prisoners.

Although Mr. Crockwell stresses work rather than the accommodation is the primary focus of Work Inc. he is under no illusion about the importance of housing to aiding rehabilitation.

Sadly some actually seek a return to prison, says Mr. Crockwell, because at least room and board are guaranteed within Westgate's walls.

Mr. Crockwell says links are being forged with the Bermuda Housing Corporation to help house ex-cons.

And there are more radical plans afoot in the adopt-a-home strategy which is set to be pioneered by the Housing Ministry.

"Derelict homes will be refurbished by Work Inc. employees one of whom will become the tenant,'' says Mr. Crockwell.

"This is something Housing Minister Nelson Bascome wants to develop.'' "Bermuda Housing Corporation will still own the houses.'' Employers wishing to help out with Work Inc. can call 297-3939.

Making good: Former Supreme Court clerk Shawn Crockwell who stole $600,000 of heroin in 1995 is now heading up a programme to help ex-convicts like himself reintegrate into society.