pressure mounts for a shake-up, it was revealed yesterday.

The wide-ranging review is aimed at restoring public confidence after a string of security slip-ups.

Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness made the announcement yesterday.

It came as the Progressive Labour Party appeared to call for Mr. Edness' political head.

In a hard-hitting statement yesterday it urged the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan to review Mr. Edness's position.

But Mr. Edness angrily hit back last night, defending Government from accusations of blame.

Meanwhile The Royal Gazette has received reliable reports to fuel controversy over the prison system.

These revolve around prisoners on unsupervised day-release programmes congregating with girlfriends.

The daily programmes, run from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., are specifically designed to ween trusted, and specially selected, inmates back to work.

They have been suspended while the overall review is conducted.

"We want to have a look at the whole structure,'' said Prisons Commissioner Mr. Milton Pringle.

This latest review will focus on security and administration, and include the training and hiring of prison officers.

It follows one launched earlier this year -- and still ongoing -- involving two Canadian prison experts.

Unspecified security measures were also implemented after convicted murderer Troy Shorter's breakout from Casemates in July 1991.

A report of an inquiry into that escape should be ready shortly.

Yesterday Mr. Edness announced: "A comprehensive review of Bermuda's prison system -- in particular, its administrative and security practices -- is to be carried out as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.'' He added: "I have reached the conclusion that it is highly desirable to establish a review of the Island's prison system, particularly as it relates to its administration and security practices.

"An effective and efficient prison system is an integral part of Bermuda's criminal justice system and it is imperative, therefore, that that system has the confidence of the community.

"The review which is being proposed will examine all relevant areas of the operation of the prison system such as work-release programmes and how they are administered.'' Mr. Edness said the scrutiny will bring forward recommendations on how best to restore public confidence.

"It is likely the review will be carried out by someone who has extensive experience in the criminal field.

"Towards that end I will be consulting with the relevant officials to identify just such a person within the coming weeks.

"As soon as the details of the proposed review have been finalised I anticipate making a further statement.'' Last night Mr. Edness said the review would be carried out by both a local and an overseas expert.

It will act as "piggy-back'' with the current review involving the Canadians.

Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome yesterday accused Government of failing to act on public anxiety.

He pinpointed areas of concern about the prison system: overcrowding, lack of rehabilitation facilities; and high recidivism rates.

"Other factors include inadequacies of Casemates as a prison facility and the fact that Government negligence is at the root of the failure.'' Mr. Bascome slammed Mr. Edness for failing to manage his political responsibility, and responding "only to crisis situations''.

The PLP's demand for accountability at the top cannot be covered up by a call for another review, added Mr. Bascome.

"We call on the Premier to review the appropriateness of the Minister to continue in this portfolio in view of the failures of his Ministry.'' The National Liberal Party has also put forward three recommendations to improve the prison system.

These include an immediate rehabilitation and treatment programme, particularly for those imprisoned for violent or sex crimes, and a comprehensive system of evaluating sexual offenders before they are released.

The party also proposes life imprisonment for persons who repeatedly commit sexual crimes and rape.

As well as Shorter's breakout a string of embarrassing incidents for the prison service include jailed child-killer Chesterfield Johnson's fling with a prostitute; Toronto (Mackie) Darrell's escape during a fake dentist's appointment; and Derrick Eugene DeShields' failure to return from a day-release programme.