will open for business next month.

The move is part of a slew of prison reforms designed to keep Westgate as an option of last resort under a system known as Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI).

Around $2.5 million has been allocated to the programme from April but Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox hinted more was on the way.

And she promised a legislative package over the coming months which will allow discounts for early fine payers, penalties for late payers and skills development for former prisoners.

She said: "Let me state emphatically and unequivocally, however, that the introduction of ATI will certainly not provide a soft option to prison.

"In fact prison reform is an integral part of the process and will require tough and mandated programmes for inmates.

"It is the Government's intention that prison will become the option of last resort founded on the principle that prison should be predominantly for those offenders from whom the public needs protection.'' She said meetings had been held with the Bar and Judiciary to hammer out law changes which would go hand in hand with the programme.

She said: "I have mentioned legislative requirements.

"These will be augmented by the introduction of a fines enforcement scheme, with inducements for early payment and increased penalties -- including confiscation of assets -- for non-compliance.'' "This regime can also be applied to civil offences such as non-payment of child support.'' "As from January 2001 we will begin operation of a halfway house pre-release facility for inmates.

"F Building adjacent to Westgate Correctional Facility has been identified as the location of this important new facility.

"Members will recall that F building is currently being used to accommodate some 30 civil inmates, an interim arrangement that has successfully addressed concerns of overcrowding at Westgate.

"In this regard we are completing arrangements for an alternative facility that will house the civil prisoners after F building has been converted into the halfway house.'' She said the Drug Treatment Court, which will help offenders who have drug problems get effective treatment, is to start next year.

And Ms. Cox added: "A skills development programme, called Work Inc., designed for ex-inmates and at risk persons, will be operating by January.

"Work Inc. will be a public/private partnership venture.'' She praised Renaissance Reinsurance for providing the seed money for the development of both Work Inc. and ATI.

"Additionally we will introduce an effective regime for community service orders, thereby offering further sentencing options to the courts, options that are not designed to be a burden to the Bench.

"Also a residential non-prison behaviour change programme is being developed to fill a gap in the range of progressive sanctions available to the courts.''