The British judge who wrote a report calling for a major overhaul of Bermuda's criminal justice system died on Monday in the Galapagos Islands. He was 73.

Sir Stephen Tumim, Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales from 1987 to 1995, spent several weeks on the Island in 1992 amid concern over the high number of young black men in jail.

His much-publicised Criminal Justice Review Board (The Tumim Report) highlighted deep racial tensions and inequality in Bermuda and put forward a raft of proposals. These included the need for a race relations division of the Human Rights Commission.

The Tumim Report also discussed abolition of mandatory prison terms for traffic offences, recording of Police interviews, creation of a family court, a Government bookstore, and an independent police complaints authority.

In 1995, Sir Stephen told The Royal Gazette: "Many of those in Bermuda prison facilities are either school dropouts or those who did not have a positive school experience."

"We are years behind in the area of policing," he added.

Yesterday Sir John Swan, who was Premier at the time Sir Stephen wrote his report, paid tribute to the former barrister and father of three.

"He was a gentleman of great integrity. His report has had an impact today and will in the future. We owe him gratitude. I am sad to hear of his passing.

"He had appreciation for the complexities of a small society. He has left his footprints in the sands of time in Bermuda," he added.

According to the British broadsheet, The Telegraph, Sir Stephen brought the issue of prison reform to the fore as never before in modern times.

Sir Stephen's publications include Great Legal Disasters (1983), Great Legal Fiascos (1985), and Crime and Punishment (1997).

He received the first Honourary Senior Fellowship from the Cayman Islands Law School.

Sir Stephen, who was knighted in 1996, is survived by his wife Winnifred Brothwick, and three daughters.