by the Progressive Labour Party yesterday during a site visit.

But the public will soon have the chance to see the $40 million maximum security facility for themselves.

Government is planning to hold an open house at the prison sometime in October, Shadow Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome revealed yesterday at the PLP's weekly Press conference.

PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he, Mr. Bascome and Sandys South MP Mr.

Walter Roberts were very impressed with the prison, located next to the existing one.

"One may comment when they see it that `it's a bit too comfortable', that's their opinion,'' Mr. Wade said. "But we couldn't find a pool. It's very functional, the cells are adequate -- and they are not air conditioned.'' Mr.

Bascome and Mr. Wade said they were more concerned with the "human side'' of the prison.

Mr. Bascome said there had not yet been any job advertisements for psychologists and health and social work professionals to fill all the counselling rooms at the new prison.

"Will programmes for rehabilitation and re-education be in place when it opens?,'' he asked. "The staff members have to be in place to utilise the rooms.'' It was his understanding the new prison staff would include its own psychologist and counsellors.

The PLP took the opportunity at the Press conference to criticise Government's latest committee -- to plan for the future of the US Naval Air Station and running of the airport, as being too late.

There were already concerns the US Navy might pull out and leave Bermuda to run its own airport, he said.

"Bermuda ought to already have a definite plan on what we want to see happen at (the NAS),'' he said. "The US, Canadians and British will act in their own self interest. We shouldn't only now be thinking of running our own airport.'' Mr. Wade added Sen. Alex Scott PLP took "verbal abuse'' in the Senate recently when he said a Bermuda-run fire station was needed at the airport and it was time Bermudians were trained as air traffic controllers.

Mr. Wade criticised Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan for flying to Washington DC and London on his own to hold base talks with the two country's leaders.

A PLP Government would have taken with it a "team'' of people, including lawyers and other party members.

"This issue is much too serious to make a propaganda piece for the next General Election,'' Mr. Wade said.

While in the West End, the MPs also visited the soon-to-be-closed US Naval Annex and Daniel's Head Canadian base.

Daniel's Head was 17 acres and had five beaches surrounding it, Mr. Wade noted.

The future of the bases would be an important plank in the PLP's platform, he said.

He said the PLP did not yet want to make any firm suggestions on what do to with the land. But it would be announcing some concrete ideas at a later date.

The party wanted to see the land used to make money for Bermuda (hotels, golf course light manufacturing plant) as well as provide new amenities for Bermudians, especially the youth (a sports complex, youth corps headquarters).