conference in Bermuda next month.

Those taking part will include Watergate figure-turned Christian speaker Mr.

Charles Colson, former Delegated Affairs Minister Sir John Sharpe, Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks, Prison Commissioner Mr. Edward Dyer, prison psychologist Mr. Derrick Binns and Bermuda Prison Fellowship president Mr.

Jack Harris.

They will be joined by top officials and experts from the Caribbean, North America and Latin America, including the chief justice and chief prosecutor of El Salvador and a former US Supreme Court district judge.

Organised by the Prison Fellowship from December 8 to 12, the meeting is entitled "From Retributive Justice to Restorative Justice''.

Fellowship director the Rev. Glenn Caines said: "Restorative justice is a Biblically-based approach that holds offenders accountable to repay their victims and their community.

"It's re-shaping modern criminal justice.'' It emphasised rehabilitation, cutting prison numbers and repeat offences -- both very high in Bermuda.

The Tumim report had helped boost the new trend in the Island, said Mr.

Caines.

"Bermuda's on the right track, and we can begin to become a forerunner, even a destiny-shaper for the world.'' He hoped about 100 people would attend, paying $100 each. Government had backed the conference to the tune of $20,000 and promised 20 civil servants would attend, he said.