call for an extensive review of the system by Senator Alex Scott yesterday.

Sen. Scott (PLP) raised the issue in the motion to adjourn in the first sitting of the Senate since its Easter break.

"We have become, as a community, aware of and concerned about the security offered to the community by the prison system,'' he said. "(Prison officers) have presented me with a list of shocking concerns which suggest we need a review. Obviously we have to have a serious review. This is not a play thing.

This is a serious thing.'' Sen. Scott said policy changes in the system have raised serious questions by the officers as to the security they could offer the public.

And he said through headlines and news reports the public often jumps to conclusions.

"The prison officers want the community to know they feel they are professional,'' he said.

Sen. Scott said he would not reveal the complete list of greviances but that they included complaints about the use of the Prison Farm as a housing for prisoners who should be in maximum security and the lack of communication between officers.

He said the Prison Farm is an area where persons with good behaviour are usually imprisoned, unlike those with serious offences who are placed at Casemates.

"They said that because of an overflow from Casemates, officers are alarmed to see prisoners sent from Casemates to the Prison Farm. This puts a burden on that system.

"They say the perimeter of the farm is not as safe as it should be. Last year prisoners were caught not going out, but coming back in. They had gone fishing but decided to return to the prison system.'' Sen. Scott said that on any given shift, there could be five officers on duty with only two radios between them.

"If (a prisoner) runs, they have to find a telephone and then make (their) position known,'' he said. "Officers are running one way for a telephone and the prisoner is running the other.'' Sen. Michael Winfield (UBP) said: "The prison service itself is without question handicapped,'' he said. "That problem is now being addressed with the building of the new prison system which will be ready in September 1993.

"Generally the prison officers themselves are working extremely well and extremely hard out at Casemates,'' he said.

And he said a number of recommendations will be made after the review of the prisons, which is now being carried out, is complete.

"This should not be interpreted as an attack on prison officers,'' he said.

"It's obvious from time to time there needs to be a review of custodial services.'' Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) thanked the Senate for its "warm welcome''and said he had always held it and its members in the highest regard.

"I'll do my best to carry my share of the weight and trust and expect others to do the same,'' he said.

Sen. Jerome Dill (UBP) also thanked the Senate for their welcome.

"It's an honour and a privilege to sit here today,'' he said.

Sen. Maxwell Burgess (UBP) said the public should be reminded that it was through the prison officers that it was made aware of the inadequate facilities at Casemates.

"(They told us) we run the risk of seeing the very thing we're experiencing now,'' he said.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) said there were concerns about how some of the issues raised regarding the prison would be addressed with the new facility.

And he expressed concerns that airline fares were discouraging potential visitors from coming to the Island.

"Airlines recently in Bermuda announced they were lowering their fares,'' he said. "However, kinds of restrictions were placed on individuals purchasing tickets and, as such, figures we're not already pleased with may be diminished even further.'' He said a lot of bookings to Bermuda were made at the last minute but that travellers had to purchase tickets 21 days in advance to get the maximum benefits.

"Also, child's fares have been eliminated,'' he said. "One to two years old they pay $7 total, but after two years they pay adult fare. If we are encouraging families to come to Bermuda it is my hope an impression will be made upon Government to show the adverse affect this could have.''