Government yesterday launched a ground-breaking initiative backed by the private sector to find alternatives to sending criminals to prison.

More than 100 guests from the business community, Government and the criminal justice system attended the unveiling of the scheme to research ways of breaking the cycle of repeat offending.

In an attempt to move from punishment to rehabilitation, it is hoped imaginative plans will emerge to help offenders, particularly those with drug problems, change their behaviour and become productive members of society.

Premier Jennifer Smith called it "an historic and significant initiative to provide the courts with sentencing options through a system of alternatives to incarceration''.

She stressed it was not the end of prison sentences, which will still remain open to the courts, nor would it signal the introduction of soft options.

The comprehensive study will look at best practices around the world, but will recommend solutions specifically tailored to Bermuda's needs.

International reinsurance company RenaissanceRe has funded the initiative, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.

It was hailed as a benchmark example of how business can divert some of the enormous wealth in the private sector into tackling social issues which affect the entire community.

A series of task force committees drawn from across the community will report to Government by the end of summer.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said new legislation would be introduced by Government if necessary. The initiative is the result of Government's promise in the Throne Speech in October to look at alternative options to prison.

Ms Smith added: "The principle purpose of the alternative sentencing programme is to give the courts the means to be able to direct offenders to a corrective process that best suits their particular needs and thus provides the optimum opportunity for offenders to change their behaviour.'' The research will be organised by Advocates for Human Potential, the leading health and social affairs research group in the United States.

Ms Cox said prison was an expensive and often ineffective way of dealing with criminals.

"There is a philosophical shift from a system geared to punishment to one which treats, changes and rehabilitates. The community will be the ultimate beneficiary,'' said Ms Cox.

"We can and we will Bermudianise proven overseas programmes. However the end result will be a Bermudian solution for the Bermudian situation.'' Focus on Page 2 Editorial: Page 4 Alternative sentences Praising Renaissance for financing the programme, Ms Cox said: "It demonstrates in tangible fashion to the community as a whole the benefits that flow to Bermudians from a healthy private sector.

"It also evidences the value of networking between the Government and its social partners. The community as a whole benefits. That has to be a boon -- enhanced harmony and community prosperity.'' Health Minister Nelson Bascome said it was important to understand the "mindset'' of young Bermudians who continue to commit crimes.

He said despite the obvious wealth on the Island, many felt left behind and excluded -- a key issue which Government would address.

Mr. Bascome said: "The programme provides for us another necessary means to look at that mindset to find out why we are where we are.

"We can look at the economic and social circumstances and we can look at the wealth, but there are others who still fight and feel very neglected and left behind. The PLP Government is moving to ameliorate their feelings.'' James Stanard, the chairman and chief executive of RenaissanceRe, said: "There is no doubt that social health and business health are invariably linked. For Renaissance, this represents an investment in the future of the `just society' of Bermuda.

"This is of importance to everyone here, including our employees, both Bermudian and expat.

"If the effort is successful, it will help restore and rehabilitate the lives of men, women and children who are involved in the criminal justice system.'' Nelson Bascome CONFERENCE CON JAIL JAL