Edward Dyer, Commissioner of Prisons, had no idea in the early 1960s when he was a nursing student living in Britain that nursing would land him a successful prison career.

"I guess I was in the right place at the right time,'' says the soft spoken man who has run the Island's prisons for most of the last 20 years.

"I have always had an affinity for helping people.'' Mr. Dyer was educated in health sciences in the UK through the Exevale Group of Hospitals and qualified as a psychiatric and general nurse prior to joining the prison system.

"Back then it was a bit unusual for a man to be a nurse. Nurses were thought to be gentle nurturing creatures, wearing crisp white uniforms and there I was, working in a prison,'' he reflected.

His career with Bermuda's prison system began in 1965 as a divisional officer when he started the Nursing Programme for Prisons.

A series of promotions followed, culminating in his appointment as Commissioner in 1978 after two years of training at a prison training college in Yorkshire, England.

Apart from four years (1988 to 1992) when he was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, he has been running the prisons ever since.

"My nurturing background strengthened my foundation,'' Mr. Dyer said.

"Clinically speaking, I believe in the holistic approach with inmates. We focus on the mental, physical, emotional and social aspects of the inmates.

They have the potential to change.'' Asked if prison rehabilitates inmates, Mr. Dyer responded: "No. The facility provides support for positive behaviour. The inmate rehabilitates himself. He participates in prison programmes which hopefully help him make the decision to change his attitude and or thinking.'' Mr. Dyer admitted that some new prisoners were not prepared to change.

"Inmates don't take advantage of the many programmes devised to help them.

They are less willing to prepare and learn new skills to enhance them when they are released.'' Vocational courses are designed to provide skills in various trades such as carpentry, cookery, welding and small engine repair.

Educational courses are offered at different academic levels. They include special education, remedial, high school and college courses.

He added: "Prison life changes people. We hope that it usually helps people but this is not always the case. Inmates sometimes learn negative behaviour from each other. I believe it would be better to incarcerate only truly dangerous criminals.'' Traditionally prisons have been viewed as sombre places where members of society who offend the laws of the country are sent for punishment. The nature of the punishment can vary and be as diverse as the number of people in the institution.

"The reality is that removing a person from society and placing him in prison is the punishment,'' said Mr. Dyer. "Any punishments which may be awarded in prison are prescribed in law where the process and nature of the punishments are detailed.

"Punishments can only be awarded when prison rules are breached.'' Mr. Dyer said he is also concerned about the prisons is the increase in the inmate population, which jumped in 1994 and has remained consistent since. He said there were 314 inmates on October 15, an increase of 1.4 percent since 1997.

Average length of stay varies but is about four years, rarely exceeding five years. Sixteen inmates are currently serving life terms. An inmate must serve at least 18 years for life. The system is not obliged to release anyone with a life sentence.

When Mr. Dyer was asked about the skills associated with his responsibilities he concluded: "Excellent management and human relation skills are required.

This is serious work. I supervise the people who work with the inmates. A good sense of humour always helps.'' Mr. Dyer is a family man who adores his wife and 14-year-old daughter and spends much of his time with then when he is off-duty.

"When I'm not at work I aim for relaxing hobbies like home projects and sailing. I have a passion for sail racing! This kind of work will haunt you if you lack the ability to leave it behind.'' PRISON HISTORY The Bermuda Prisons Department has undergone great changes over the years according to Commissioner of Prisons, Edward Dyer.

Until 1961, the Bermuda Maximum Security was located in Hamilton on the western side of Parliament Street. That site is now occupied by the Government Administration Building and the General Post Office.

In 1951 the Prison Farm, a minimum security, "open prison'' was established at Pendle Hill, Ferry Reach, St. George's to relieve overcrowding in the Hamilton prison.

Casemates Prison was established in 1961 to replace the Hamilton prison and was declared to be not only a prison but also a prison hospital. Other than the provision of a doctor's office, its hospital function was never developed.

During the late 1970s and 1980s there was a dramatic increase in the prison population. The severe overcrowding and sanitation problems assisted in the decision to build the modern Westgate Correctional Facility, which was opened on September 23, 1994.

In 1985 the Senior Training School for Boys, then located on the southern boundary of the St. George's Club, and the Women's Prison at the end of Cedar Park Road, Devonshire were consolidated as the Co-educational Facility at Ferry Reach, St. George's.

*** During 1995 it cost about $43,000 a year to care for one inmate.

On average, only 20-25 percent of Bermuda's inmates have graduated from high school.

An inmate's daily routine 6-7.30 a.m.: Breakfast 8.15-11.30 a.m.: Activities such as daily room cleaning, food preparation, laundry, grass cutting and generally provide all non-security maintenance of the facilities. For this work, inmates are given a small allowance. Work is mandatory and prisoners can be disciplined for refusing to work.

11.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m.: Lunch 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Activities resume 4-6 p.m.: Dinner, followed by evening activities of vocational or educational training taught by community teachers and instructors.

9.30-10 p.m.: Lockdown. Each person's single cell is locked tight with dim lights until the next day.

EDWARD DYER -- Commissioner of Prisons.