have claimed vocational and other classes designed to help inmates gain academic qualifications and skills in prison are poorly attended.

Classrooms were empty except for one or two inmates, said one man. The majority of prisoners kept away out of pride.

"There's plenty to do,'' the man said. "But most of the guys don't go.'' The men also claimed Westgate was already overcrowded and that surplus prisoners were being squeezed into the Prison Farm.

Longer sentences of years, rather than months meant prisoners were staying behind bars for longer.

Prison Commissioner Mr. Edward Dyer agreed it was possible prison sentences were longer but said the prison was still far from full capacity.

Because the prison was separated into isolated sections, inmates in one area could not know about available space in others, he said.

Mr. Dyer admitted he did not know the exact figures of inmates who went to classes but said he would check into it.

During the summer, fewer classes were available because teachers were away on summer leave.

He added that the prison could not force adult men to enrol in classes, but those who did were looked upon favourably at review time.

Westgate houses a computer laboratory and four classrooms. Basic reading and mathematics, computer and vocational training as well as high school diplomas are taught by trained part-time teachers.