recidivism. This is the last part of Matthew Taylor's series on the Island's penal system.

A learning programme which has slashed recidivism rates by 40 percent in America is underway at the Westgate Correctional and Co-ed Facilities.

Reading Clinic vice president and organiser Ann Dunstan said research showed Bermuda mirrored the world-wide picture with about one in three prisoners suffering from attention deficit disorder (ADD) and one in four having the reading ability of an average 11-year-old.

This compared with an average of ten to 15 percent of the general population who have learning difficulties.

Eleven inmates are on the Success Through Awareness and Responsibility Training programme (START) at the Co-ed Facility, while six maximum security Westgate prisoners are on the Awareness Responsibility Training (ART) programme.

The 14-week programme, which started at the end of May, promotes different learning techniques in the recognition that traditional learning methods have failed already. Mrs. Dunstan said: "It has been so successful in the States, where it has reduced recidivism by 40 percent for more than 12 years.'' Patrick Trott is teaching the Co-ed group.

He said: "It's important they understand that not all the trouble they got into was entirely their fault.'' He said fidgeting, which could raise the ire of teachers, was one of the symptoms of ADD in which impulsive and inappropriate behaviour are common.

Anger management is one of the most important aspects of the course, said Mr.

Trott.

He said: "There's nothing wrong with being angry, it's how you direct it. We have an emphasis on respect for yourself and others.'' "They have learned to fight first and ask questions later, because that's how they grew up. We teach them that's not entirely their fault.'' He said the START scheme differed from traditional learning programmes. "Some people might learn by doing, rather than by us reading to them.'' Those who can't get their feelings over verbally are encouraged to try another route, such as drawing. Mrs. Dunstan added: "People can learn by hearing, seeing or by doing. We do a little bit of everything so nobody is missed out because they can't read.

Cutting rates of recidivism "At some point in the programme that is taken care of, but they are not ready yet.'' She said the prisons were becoming more aware of how to offer the next level of teaching to those with learning disabilities.

"With this Co-ed group, our primary goal is to stop them repeat offending again. We're very optimistic. Based on their reaction to it we can to this.'' Building up trust was the first goal with many inmates fearing a loss of face for admitting they could not read.

"This is a safe environment for them to admit that before they go out into the unsafe environment of work.'' Enthusiasm has grown for the mandatory programme over the weeks, particularly when it was explained to them that the programme could form a part of the alternative sentencing scheme envisaged by Government.

"They have all been very respectful and we have not sensed any danger in working with them.'' The group will be followed when they leave to assess the programme's effectiveness.

Mrs. Dunstan said the goals for their maximum security group in Westgate were more limited because they were in prison for a long time.

"But we hope to change their behaviour patterns and understand their learning styles. It's more of a personal change. It's not really about reducing their recidivism.'' She said a study of the inmates could also detect similar problems in their children so help could be given before problems mushroomed.

"It's been very well received. They're very responsive. They don't have to do it.'' The programme could also play a part in the forthcoming drug court.

The adolescent form of the course is now being used in schools for those getting in trouble to stop them ending up at the Co-ed Facility at a later stage.

"In Washington they have it in a lot of schools to prevent rather than mediate. That's our ultimate goal,'' said Mrs. Dunstan.

She said problems in academic fields could also affect social skills, thus children with spatial problems could end up standing too close to people -- which could be seen as aggressive.

Those with sequencing problems could forget the order of events or events entirely, which could lead to accusations they deliberately lied.

"Nobody says their behaviour is a sequencing problem. They say the child is a liar. But not all liars have sequencing problems.'' And she cautioned: "If the drug court and the juvenile court accept this as an explanation, we are saying that all clients must be screened to find out if they have learning disabilities or ADD because this must not be used as an excuse.'' Mrs. Dunstan said: "Having learning disabilities doesn't mean you'll end up in prison, but there are certain social skills lacking with people who have learning disabilities and ADD which are addressed.'' Students are taught ways to deal with their hyperactivity so it does not affect work.

Mrs. Dunstan cited the example of one academic who has ADD and said the rush of adrenaline from parachute jumping actually helped calm him down.

"You can channel these things to great advantage, but it needs help.'' Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer welcomed the START and ART programmes.

He said: "These programmes are important because they prepare people for the next stage, the next programme and it gives them a chance to assess themselves.'' New hope: The Reading Clinic's Ann Dunstan and Patrick Trott are piloting a prison learning programme which has slashed recidivism rates by 40 percent in America.