half of them serving time for non-violent offences, Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales claimed yesterday.

Judge Stephen Tumim, who is heading an investigation into the Island's criminal justice system, said there was also an unusually high number of black people -- 98 percent -- in Bermuda's prisons.

He said initial findings revealed 40 percent of Bermuda's prisoners had been locked up for "what can broadly be called minor offences'' such as driving while disqualified and other traffic offences, wandering abroad and littering.

"In very few places do you get a prison sentence for those offences,'' he said.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Judge Tumim, who began the probe this week, said he was impressed with the "caring'' relationship of prison officers towards inmates and also the proposed standards for the planned maximum security prison to replace Casemates.

And he said he strongly believed Government should look at implementing an "efficient'' probation and community service system as an alternative to jail for those convicted of minor offences.

Judge Tumim said England had the highest number of people in prison in Europe with 96 for every 100,000 people, compared to Holland which has 40 for every 100,000.

The high number of people locked up in England, however, pales in comparison to the United States which has 426 per 100,000. But Bermuda tops the lot with 573 per 100,000, he said.

"Nobody, but nobody can equal 573 per 100,000,'' Judge Tumim said. "It's an extraordinary figure.'' Although the panel is investigating all parts of the criminal justice system, Judge Tumim said he believed the primary aim was: "To reduce the high number of people held in custody in Bermuda -- especially bearing in mind the high number of black people -- and to see what alternatives to custody there are for offenders.'' He added: "It is my not business whether Bermuda wants to continue the high rate, but it is my business to give advice to the Government of Bermuda on ways to keep people out of prison -- otherwise going to prison will not be regarded with shame or embarrassment but simply as part of the educational process, and then we might as well give up on the system because it's a waste of money.'' But Mr. Tumim stressed the panel could not afford to recommend anything which would allow dangerous offenders out on the street. And he said the offence of wandering abroad was something to be looked at "very closely'' because of the importance of tourism.

Judge Tumim has given advice on prisons to many Governments of dependent territories in the Caribbean and one recommendation he said he had often made was for new prisons to be built because the existing ones are "hopelessly inadequate''.

He said his recent wide-ranging report on the UK prisons system found a major problem to be lack of communication -- "not giving people enough reasons for things''.

In that report he recommended all members of the criminal justice system, including Police, prison officers, judges and lawyers, meet more often to see what each is doing and thinking.

He said he was very impressed with the "skill and sensitivity'' of prison officers in Bermuda, resulting in a good staff-inmate relationship.

On security, he said was highly impressed with the planned new prison which he said followed US patterns of comfort, security and efficiency and would have adequate medical, dental and work and play facilities.

Judge Tumim said the "great majority'' of offenders simply needed education and training "very badly'' so they would know how to behave in society.

He said a combination of community service -- such as picking up trash on the beach -- and probation was a good alternative to custody.

He said the Criminal Justice Review Board hoped to hear from the public and was "anxious'' for the input of former prisoners and young people. He said so far a half dozen submissions had been made.

Judge Tumim is conducting the investigation along with Mr. Tony French and Mr.

Steve Bass from the British Home Office, criminal justice expert and research consultant Mr. David Jenkins and local members Puisne Judge Mrs. Justice Norma Wade, Community and Cultural Affairs director Mr. Lowdru Robinson and Sandys Secondary principal Mr. Melvin Bassett.

HER Majesty's Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Judge Stephen Tumim.