Politicians, local celebrities and business leaders were yesterday "locked-up" and put on trial to raise money for PRIDE Bermuda.

Last year the "Celebrity Lock-Up" event raised more than $50,000 for the drug-prevention charity and, according to PRIDE Executive Director Judith Burgess, the goal this year is $75,000. According to Ms Burgess a portion of the funds raised will be used to pay for staff training, and leadership training for young PRIDE volunteers.

At the fundraiser, mock prisoner after mock prisoner was escorted into Number Six Shed by PRIDE volunteers, posing as prison guards, before being put into a bank of pretend jail cells where they were held until trial.

Depending on their ability to pay the fine handed down by former Commisioner of Prisons Edward Dyer or lawyer Cheryl Ann Mapp, who posed as magistrates in the imaginary court room, the "prisoners" were either released or sent back to their cell until they had collected enough cash.

The funds raised for PRIDE were collected and donated by the "prisoners", some of whom were publicly "arrested" and brought to the event in a taxi posing as a prison van.

The "prisoners" were arrested for many different reasons. Comedian Bruce Barrit was on trial for selling "coke" a reference to his family business, Barrit's, which distributes Coca-Cola on the Island. Leader of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance and owner of two gas stations Craig Cannonier, was on trial for "raising gas taxes". And Jeff Sousa of Sousa's Landscaping was on trial for "growing herb".

The "prison guards" were kept busy throughout the event fighting back attempted break-outs and chasing after escaped "prisoners" down Front Street. Former St. George's Mayor E. Michael Jones kept the gaurds especially busy with his numerous break-out attempts.

Founded in 1986 PRIDE Bermuda or the Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education Bermuda, a registered charity, works with families, schools and community activists to promote drug awareness, education and prevention on the Island through educational programmes.