Magistrates could get the power to tell young offenders "you're in the army now''.

For Youth and Sport Minister John Barritt is considering a new scheme to order troublesome youngsters to join the Bermuda Regiment's Cadet Corps to straighten them out.

Mr. Barritt said Government wanted "more bang for its buck'' in funding youth programmes -- and that the Cadet Corps had been given extra cash in the current financial year.

He added: "It may become an alternative, coming out of the Bermuda Regiment, which is a known quantity and which has had success in its own field.

"Perhaps we can then look at it becoming compulsory for some young people.

"Some have suggested this kind of corps could be available to Magistrates for community service instead of sending people to prison or ordering so many hours of community service, we could take them into the Cadet Corps.'' "The point of the Youth Corps programme which has always been mooted is that it shouldn't just be for those who want to do it, but for those who need that kind of discipline.'' Mr. Barritt added he had attended the Cadet Corps passing out parade earlier this summer, when four platoons graduated.

And he said he had been impressed by the commitment and spit-and-polish of the junior troops.

He added: "This is the sort of programme we want to introduce more youngsters in Bermuda to.'' But he stressed: "It's open to parents to send their children on a volunteer basis at the moment, and they certainly should consider it.'' Regiment CO Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge said he would consider changes to the Cadet Corps, currently boasting around 500 members aged between 12 and 14 -- but with reservations.

But he said junior soldiers sent from the courts would have to be selected carefully.

Lt. Col. Outerbridge said: "It's something which would take a lot of discussion because these young people we have are volunteers, keen, and they enjoy the programme.

"I think if we start to do something like that, it would detract from those who have volunteered.

"If we're not talking relatively hardened criminals, but first offenders and minor offenders, I'm sure it would do them some good.''