prison. Government is to seek damages against the builders Sea-Land Construction.

But the company's boss Mr. Andrew Cooper seems set to fight the claim. "If somebody slapped you in the face wouldn't you react?'' he said yesterday. He added: "Obviously we will argue our case.'' Mr. Cooper blamed the delay on installing a hi-tech computerised security system. "It is not something we have any control over.'' The prison -- called the correctional facility -- was to be opened in mid-October.

Now a late January opening date is on the cards.

Works & Engineering Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons told the House of Assembly on Friday "liquidated damages'' would be sought against the contractor.

Yesterday he told The Royal Gazette such damages were normal when a project was behind schedule. "If there is a time-frame with a contract, and if the work is not completed in time, one can claim against the contractor for loss of use of the facility. The claim is in the form of a negotiated settlement.'' Mr. Gibbons said he believed a daily rate of damages had been written into Government's contract with Sea-Land.

"It is not inexpensive, although I don't know what we will be claiming.'' Mr. Gibbons understood the prison was likely to open in late January. "The damages sought will be for the period between mid-October and the opening date.'' He added prison staff and inmates at Casemates were anxious to move to the new building.

Prisons Commissioner Mr. Edward Dyer said there was frustration over the hold-up. He said staff had undergone training for the move.