day of freedom heralded a nightmare.

The 43-year-old claimed he faced another form of imprisonment as he tried to cope without a home, job, and virtually any money.

And he told The Royal Gazette : "To be honest, I did not feel happy about leaving prison.'' The man -- who does not wish to be named -- was sentenced to two years for assault. Sixteen months were spent on the Prison farm at St. George's.

Hopes of joining a work release scheme, however, were dashed, he claims, without explanation. It left him without any job training, and just $79.89 in his pocket on the day of his release on October 31 this year.

And without a family to support him, it meant two nights wandering the streets, looking for somewhere to stay.

In effect, he had become a criminal again. Wandering abroad is still an offence.

"I spent the first couple of nights in a gambling hall. It was really terrible. The next four weeks or so were spent at a friend's place, sleeping on a couch.

"It wasn't too good, though, because some of the windows were broken and there was no water.'' The man said he had to go to King Edward VII Hospital just to have a shower.

"I think people should be made aware of what is happening. I was turned into a criminal through no fault of my own.

"There must be other people who have been through the same experience. People are being encouraged to be a criminal.'' The man, who now lives in Pembroke, said he had managed eventually to get work at a gas station.

"I am not a lazy person. All I wanted was a chance to start my life again.'' He said he had managed to get by with $600 a month from social assistance.

"I survived, and I am grateful to Social Assistance, but I could have earned a few thousand dollars and been in a better position on a work release programme.

"To be honest, I did not feel happy about leaving prison. I did not know where I was going. I did not know what I wanted to do or where I was going to.'' The man pointed a finger at Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, claiming he had stopped him from joining a work release programme.

Yesterday Mr. Edness said he would not speak about individual prisoners, although all decisions affecting them were made with care.

Speaking generally, he said many former prisoners had difficulties adjusting in a small community.

"The community does not forgive in a hurry. It takes a lot of effort before the community trusts you again.

"Society judges and it has the right to judge. That is something which people should think about before they get themselves in jail.'' He added criminals should also be aware about being put on the United States "stop list''.

Mr. Edness said Government was encouraging organisations, such as the Probation Service and Prison Fellowship Bermuda, to help prisoners get started again once released.

"One of the reasons why there is a lot of recidivism is because it's difficult for a person to be forgiven. I'm not blaming the community, it's just the way it is. People know who you are.''