Ex-prison inmate Rolfe Commissiong has pledged to do his bit to cut down on the repeat offender rate -- as part of the board responsible for dealing with criminals looking for an early release.

Mr. Commissiong -- just appointed to the Treatment of Offenders Board -- served more than five years of an eight-year sentence after admitting an 1984 robbery of a bank at gunpoint.

During the robbery -- which netted more than $30,000 in cash and cheques -- a shot was fired over the head of a teller.

But Mr. Commissiong said: "I asked to be placed on the board because I felt I had an obligation to give something back.

"That's not so much to the institution, but to give something to the young and not-so-young men who are incarcerated therein.

"It's important to emphasise that life is not a one-act play. Bermuda is a place where someone can achieve a second act or a second chance.

"And I hope I can be a living example that a second chance is possible.'' Mr. Commissiong dismissed anyone who might claim his previous record should disqualify him from dealing with offenders.

He said: "We've come to a point now where we need different approaches and I think the PLP Government recognises that.'' The ex-PLP Paget East candidate was selected to serve on the board by Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox.

Mr. Commissiong said: "I think it's a very wise step on the part of the Minister to be willing to try new and innovative approaches and I'm sure we're going to have more going down the road.'' He added: "Outside the fact that I have been incarcerated myself, one of the major problems in Bermuda right now is the alienation of young black men in our society.

"And that is a sore which was allowed to fester in the last 25 years or so. I believe we have a great resource in black men in this Country -- ironically some of the best and brightest are inside Westgate or have been there.

"One thing I want to demonstrate is that the era of the revolving door must come to an end.'' But Mr. Commissiong promised he would not be a soft touch for sob stories from criminals trying to get early release.

He said: "There have to be some initial changes in their own lives if they want to make a success of their re-entry to society -- and there also has to be a willingness to accept them, both in the public and private sectors.

"But no matter what someone else can do for you, a lot of it depends on yourself.'' Mr. Commissiong has worked as a legal clerk and most recently was an executive with phone company TeleBermuda.

But he has now left to run his own promotions and marketing firm Black Star Communications, specialising in the telecommunications business.

And he said future plans included acclimatisation courses for new overseas workers and their Bermudian colleagues to cut down on friction in the workplace caused by culture clashes.

Mr. Commissiong said: "I want to foster a greater understanding between Bermudians and other people in the workplace.'' And he added his personal journey would not be complete until he had finally won a seat in the House of Assembly.

Rolfe Commissiong