Cabinet files -- to find out exactly who owns the former Casemates prison.

Two Ministries and a major public corporation have all denied they own the historic old prison, built as barracks at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

And the huge Victorian building cannot be refurbished until one group takes responsibility for it.

Prison chiefs are anxious to find out what the future holds for Casemates and if any redevelopment will affect the Westgate Correctional Facility, right next door.

The confusion means no real blueprint for Casemates is likely to begin for another two years.

But civil servants will be sent rummaging through the records today to find out exactly who should produce a plan for the jail.

Casemates, built in the 1830s, has stood empty ever since the last cell door was slammed shut in 1994.

The half-rusted building, now a dark, damp dungeon, is begining to fall derelict.

The West End Development Corporation is responsible for Dockyard and other properties nearby.

But Wedco chairman Scott Hunter told The Royal Gazette the organisation had no responsibility for Casemates.

He said the building was owned by either the Ministry of Works and Engineering or the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Hunter said: "We would like to take on responsibility for the old prison but as of the present, we do not own the building.'' Dr. Clarence Terceira, Minister of Health with responsibility for the Island's prisons, said: "Casemates does not fall under our jurisdiction.

"As far as I'm aware, the building is owned by Works and Engineering.'' But Works Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said he did not know anything about Casemates -- and he had never discussed its future.

Mr. Woolridge said: "I was under the impression Casemates was the responsibility of the West End Development Corporation.

"But I will make sure the matter is checked as soon as I am in my office so there is no more confusion.

"I couldn't even say exactly what Casemates is being used for at the moment and I haven't even been inside.

"I've driven past and it seems all shut up but that's all I know.'' Casemates, which has walls eight feet thick and a shell-proof roof, was modelled on the Casemates Navy jail at Her Majesty's Dockyard in Portsmouth.

It closed and stood derelict for ten years in 1951, once the Royal Navy had left the Island.

But it was opened again as Bermuda's main prison until 1994.

The long corridors are now empty, apart from small trees growing inside, some pigeons and rats.

And Mr. Woolridge said he would oppose any proposal to demolish the building because of its historical importance.

Instead, he said he would rather see the old jail restored as a historical monument.

But the Minister, who has been in office since February, added: "I have one of the busiest and biggest ministries in Government and Casemates has never been the subject of any discussion during my period in office.

"And I would certainly say that it is unlikely to be developed within the next two years.'' GOVERNMENT GVT