revealed.

They have been drawn up in readiness for the new high-tech $40 million prison, which opens in November.

Prison Commissioner Mr. Edward Dyer declared Bermuda was writing a new chapter in its history.

He said he had set himself an ambitious target of 100 inmates for the new prison -- a dramatic drop in numbers.

And added momentum had come from Judge Stephen Tumim's report on the criminal justice system, which underlined the need for change. Among the moves are: More work programmes for prisoners to boost job chances after release.

Trained staff to match programmes with inmates, and monitor progress.

More one-to-one relationships between prison officers and inmates as part of a more humane approach.

A limit of one prisoner per cell, which will be smoke-free.

Equal privileges for non-maximum security prisoners to start with. These will increase or be cut depending on behaviour.

"These are very exciting times -- it's like seeing a dream come true,'' said Mr. Dyer. "I'm just hoping everything will be in place for November.'' Judge Tumim's key ideas for the prison system -- welcomed by Mr. Dyer -- are also likely to be put into place.

These include an end to corrective training and under-16s being held by the prison service, explanations of parole refusals, and a half-way house as suggested by Prison Fellowship and the Salvation Army.

"I am supportive of the recommendations. I think it is admirable Judge Tumim was able to assess our problems in so short a time.'' Under Judge Tumim's plans, the Co-Ed facility would be overhauled as no juveniles would be incarcerated.

It would probably be renamed, and kept for women prisoners only.

Mr. Dyer stressed the Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales had not offered radically new ideas.

But he had reinforced the need to change from a "locking up'' mentality, to one of rehabilitation, psychological treatment, and preparing prisoners for release.

"He has told us what we know, and the message is: Why haven't we made the necessary changes?'' Mr. Dyer emphasised the importance of the Police and courts playing their part in the overhaul.

"We have all got to work together, and I support Judge Tumim's plan for us to form a committee.'' Hopes are high the joint effort will drastically cut the Island's prison population, and reduce the 68 percent repeat offender rate.

Mr. Dyer has set himself a bold target of about 100 for the new 216-capacity prison, which will have electronically-operated cell doors.

"That's an ideal, of course, and a figure I will feel very comfortable with.'' To prepare for the changes prison officers will go on an intensive May-November training programme.

"They are going to be trained to orientate themselves for the new system,'' said Mr. Dyer. "There will be a different approach to dealing with prisoners, to bring more humanity into the system.

"Staff are to be given more responsibility. There will be more delegation from myself, for instance.'' Mr. Dyer said prison officers' shifts will be changed to enable them to develop better relationships with inmates.

The lay-out of the cell blocks would also help achieve this, allowing prison officers to oversee inmates better.

Mr. Dyer explained there would be three 48-capacity units for the non-maximum security prisoners.

Prisoners entering the system would start with roughly equal privileges.

"They would keep their privileges if they behaved well, but, of course, privileges would be taken from them for poor behaviour.

"It is a different psychological approach to the present one. Prisoners would start on the same footing.'' Mr. Dyer said the ideal of one prisoner per cell would increase morale.

"Prisoners tend to take much more pride in their cell if they have it to themselves. The cells will also have toilets and handbasins, and work space.

Some people might criticise us for running a hotel.

"But that would be wrong. We want a prison which will last for a long time.

There's no point in spending $40 million for something which will have to be replaced in ten years.'' Mr. Dyer said the prisoners' regimes would be geared to them spending less time in their cells.

Vocational training will take place in workshops which will help inmates develop life skills. Recreational activity would also be boosted.

"Ideally I want prisoners to use their cells only for sleeping.'' As for a name for the new prison, Mr. Dyer said he was already racking his brains.

"Nothing has been decided. One thing is for sure. It won't be called Casemates.'' Mr. Edward Dyer.