up and running within the next three months following the hiring of two new psychologists.

Assistant Prison Commissioner Marvin Trott admitted that currently there was no system of rehabilitation in place for these offenders.

But he said the psychologists, whom Prison Commissioner Edward Dyer interviewed and hired, would be responsible for conceiving and implementing the rehabilitation programme.

The first psychologist will be in Bermuda at the end of September and the second will be here during the first week in October.

"Between the two of them we expect them to develop quite a fairly decent sex offenders treatment programme,'' said Mr. Trott. "They are expected to bring with them experiences in that field.'' Mr. Trott said that he was not involved in their recruitment and was not certain when the programme would be in place.

"I would suspect that they would certainly need a month or two to develop the programme,'' he said.

Last month the inadequacy of the Prison Services programme for the treatment and rehabilitation of those convicted of sexual and other offences against children was highlighted in a report on child abuse.

The Task Force on Child Abuse was appointed in November, 1993 by then Social Services Minister Quinton Edness.

It was headed by lawyer and ex-Attorney General Saul Froomkin. Psychologist and Senator Norma Astwood was deputy chairman.

At the beginning of its 57-page report, the Task Force said it was not possible to accurately assess the extent of physical, emotional or sexual abuse in Bermuda.

But it said the facilities of the Prison Service were "woefully inadequate'' for the treatment and rehabilitation of those jailed as a result of their abusing children.

Based on the Commissioner's 1994 presentation the report recommended: A qualified psychologist with specialised training and experience in the treatment of sexual offenders be immediately hired by the Prison Services; Staff psychologists now employed be given every opportunity to receive specialised training in the treatment of sexual offenders; and A scheme be developed for the treatment of those convicted of offences against children.

Former prison psychologist Dr. Derrick Binns told The Royal Gazette last week that sex offenders now take part in a multi-faceted programme that focuses on drug abuse counselling, life skills and anger management, and moral reconation therapy -- the practical application of moral reason and how people apply their personal values in daily life.