A halfway house to help reintegrate ex-cons into the community is unlikely to be opened this month as planned Public Safety Minister Paula Cox has admitted.

And Prison Officers Association Chairman Mike Tuzo says next month could be too optimistic as the proposed building is still full of civil offenders.

Ms Cox said Government was still trying to sort out a new venue to move civil offenders into. Initially the facility was supposed to open in November.

Mr. Tuzo said: "They set it back but I am not sure if they will reach the target of February for the halfway house.

"They haven't the place to put the `civils' -- a lot of things that have occurred have not been communicated.'' Ms Cox said: "I don't have a specific date in mind -- I am waiting for other issues to be resolved.

"We are currently using Westgate's F building for civils, we have to make sure there are facilities for the civils.

"February seems a more likely date if we can move sooner that will be wonderful. Discussions are taking place as we speak.

"We are advertising for staff.'' But the Minister denied recruitment problems would lead to further delays.

She said: "I think you will get the staff, that won't be an issue to be honest.'' Mr. Tuzo also queried the way the new facility would be run.

He said: "The company sets its own criteria for staff seeking employment -- they are not tied into the prison per se. I don't know why -- it's the politics of it.

"I have not had the opportunity to sit down and discuss it with them.'' But Ms Cox said Liberty Healthcare Corporation would be given guidelines by the Government and the fact that it wasn't supposed to be run like a prison was a plus factor.

"That's the whole point -- we are trying to integrate people back into the community,'' she said.