New Minister of Justice Michael Scott plans to increase the focus on prevention and rehabilitation as Bermuda fights a wave of violent crime.

Mr. Scott is also Attorney General with a portfolio combining the Department of Corrections, Department of Court Services and the Department of National Drug Control.

He was handed the role by new Premier Paula Cox on Monday, having previously served under the Ewart Brown administration as Energy Minister and Junior Minister of Justice.

He told The Royal Gazette: "The thing I'm most excited about in addition to holding down the position as Government's chief legal advisor is the opportunity that I have, with the addition of Corrections to my responsibilities, of achieving the balance between the enforcement of our laws, punishment for infractions of the law and, critically, rehabilitation."

He explained that "in a Country that's the envy of the world", many have "missed the benefits" due to community problems such as low incomes, poor education and unemployment.

"This needs to be corrected. Corrections has a mandate of punishment but also the mandate of restoring and rehabilitating," said Mr. Scott, who believes those areas are lacking at present.

Mr. Scott, who has worked as a lawyer for almost 29 years, said: "I've not toured the corrections facility but I've had experience of it as a practising barrister. It's fair to say we can do a lot better. Of course it's not working well, otherwise I don't think we would have the challenges we're facing."

The Justice Minister did not wish to detail his plans fully, saying Government's "overarching agenda" would be set out in tomorrow's Throne Speech with the details to be fleshed out later.

However, he pledged to address areas including "job creation, counselling especially drug and alcohol and psychodynamic therapies".

He explained that in addition to prison inmates, his focus will also be on "those on the fringes, about to burst into this awful field of activity that's going to lead them to the criminal justice system, and those exiting corrections [facilities]".

He added: "I want to send the clearest message to them that I have you in mind, I see your needs and we wish as a Government to be responsive to them."

Mr. Scott's predecessor in the role of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Kim Wilson, brought in several tough new laws to combat crime. Among them were parental responsibility legislation that can lead to curfews and banning orders for wayward youths, and tougher sentences for gun crimes.

She also increased the amount of time Police can hold suspects in gun crimes without bail. And Sen. Wilson mooted the prospect of increasing the "inadequate" sentences for other types of violent crime earlier this year, telling this newspaper in August of her hope that that would stem the tide of violence and encourage witnesses to come forward.

She said the amendments had been approved by Cabinet and hoped they would be tabled when Parliament reconvenes this month.

Mr. Scott said he was not in a position to comment yesterday on whether that will happen, but said of Sen. Wilson, who is now Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry: "I want to acknowledge the great things and the excellent work of my predecessor as the Minister of Justice."