minutes in the cells according to Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. Ed Dyer. Mr.

Dyer claims it will be more difficult for inmates to do time in the soon-to-be-completed prison than in Casemates.

Despite being the most modern and hi-tech establishment of its kind in the world, at the end of the day it is still a prison according to the Commissioner.

He said: "If people think this looks like a hotel they ought to spend 10 minutes in a cell and I am sure they will have had enough. Inmates are going to realise more than ever that they are serving time.

"It is a facility which is better equipped to deal with different prisoners, but it can also respond to psychological, educational, vocational and rehabilitation matters.'' Mr. Dyer said the idea of the new prison is to keep the inmates within the walls of the prison for the longest possible time.

He revealed that plans are in the pipeline to link the prison up with Magistrates' Court by television to end the need for regular appearances by the defendant.

One unique aspect of the new facility is that it caters for a full range of prisoners from those on remand to long-term prisoners and those who, on rare occasions, face the death penalty.

The Commissioner of Prisons believes this is vital on a small island like Bermuda. Other countries have a number of different facilities.

Mr. Dyer said: "The prison will house 206 prisoners when it is fully operational. A lot of people will be looking to see whether it is sensible to have one facility for the whole range of prisoners.'' Ministry of Works senior architect Mr. Reginald White describes the prison as "state of the art.'' It has been based on other facilities in the United States and United Kingdom, with past experiences taken into account.

Mr. White stressed the difference prison officers will find when they move out of Casemates and into the prison in September. He said: "It will be like driving a Model T Ford for years and then moving onto the Space Shuttle.'' The remand section is fairly comfortable and informal with prisoners allowed to mix when they are released from their cells.

If they are convicted of minor crimes they will generally move into the general housing area which has three sectors catering for 48 prisoners each.

This area is split into three grades of comfort depending on how the inmates behave.

Mr. White said: "It is a carrot and stick thing where people are given an opportunity to get better treatment depending on how they act.'' In both remand and general areas there are porcelain washing and toilet facilities and carpets on the floor. The guard sits at a terminal in the general mingling hall with the cells all around.

The next step up is the high security area where long-term prisoners, like murderers, will be housed. Guards will keep watch from behind toughened bullet-proof glass. Toilets are stainless steel.

Prisoners who step out of line and are violent or vandalise property will find themselves in segregation cells. Mr. White stressed that these cells can be used for people will mental problems who are difficult to control.

Close to that area is the isolation block for prisoners kept away from other prisoners for their own safety, such as child rapists or molesters.

Bermuda's own death row consists of two cells above the segregation and isolation blocks. These are near to the rooms housing the gallows. That is obviously in an upper room with a wooden floor able to be removed for the drop into the lower room. That empty lower room will more commonly be used as a store room.

Mr. White said: "This all conforms to UK standards. Let's hope it never has to be tested.'' All prison door locks are controlled from a central control room manned by two officers. An officer can open one or all doors using the computer system.

Individual prison officers have keys to doors but cannot open all the doors in any particular area.

In the event of a fire the computer opens doors giving inmates a specific route to follow to safety within the confines of the prison.

A back up generator in the prison will come into operation in the event of a power failure which might knock out the computer system.

The control centre also enables guards to watch the whole prison through a network of 15 cameras which can pan, tilt, zoom and turn 360 degrees. Any breach of security on one of the walls will be immediately picked up by a camera.

During the unlikely scenario of a prison riot the officers would be safe inside the bullet-proof room with only sally port entrances allowing one door to open at a time. The bullet proof glass has been tested and will withstand a .357 Magnum fired at point-blank range.

While prisoners will realise they are in jail they will have the opportunity to better themselves ready for their return to Bermudian society.

Counselling will be mixed with vocational and educational courses and there are workshops and computer areas where trades can be learned. Mr. White said: "We have computer programmes to teach people how to mend outboard motors and lawn mowers, things that apply to Bermuda.'' There will also be an extensive library for those wishing seek improvement by reading.

Ill health will, in the main, be treated in the prison, with a dentist able to work on site and offices for doctors and psychologists. Operations will be performed at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Spiritual healing will be available at the inter-denominational chapel which can be split into two rooms.

Visitors in the main will be able to meet prisoners in a large communal area aimed to cater for families. There are smaller screened-off single rooms for more violent prisoners.

The 14 acre site, five of which has been reclaimed from the sea, gives the prison a sprawling appearance. And with the white Bermudian rooftops it does not give the impression of a prison.

Minister of Works and Engineering the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto said: "We could have gone for higher buildings but this looks better. The rooftops are typically Bermudian to collect water. The whole thing is built to be functional.'' Mr. Dyer said: "It looks pristine because it is new. We will be looking to keep that appearance.

"You have to remember that the prison officers have to be taken into consideration. We needed to improve their working conditions.'' Mr. Dyer believes those officers will be ready to take in prisoners in November. He said: "We are already getting officers accustomed to the new prison so they should be ready to start in mid-November.'' But Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto gave a word of warning about the difference between the new facility and Casemates. She said: "It's like Noah's Ark and a nuclear submarine.'' OUT OF JAIL -- Looking delighted that their tour of the new prison is over are (from left to right) Opposition Deputy Leader Mr. Walter Roberts, Minister of Works and Engineering the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade.

SOON TO CLOSE -- Casemates, which is to be replaced by the new prison.

Differences between the two prisons have been described as "a Model T Ford and the Space Shuttle'' and "Noah's Ark and a nuclear submarine.''