Westgate could be a good place to host an anti-gang programme since members of every gang on the Island are living alongside each other there.

That was the suggestion from Prison Officers Association Chairman Craig Clarke as he addressed fears that rising violence on the streets could trigger tensions inside the prison too.

Mr. Clarke estimated that the facility currently houses "people from every crew in Bermuda" among its 190-strong population. And he believes it could be a good idea to introduce initiatives to bring them together.

"In a controlled environment we might have a better chance of sitting guys down and making them realise the differences they have are not so far apart," he said. "We have to live together inside the facility and learn that what we thought was so bad about that person is not so bad."

There have been four fatal shootings so far this year three in the past two weeks all of which are believed to be gang-related. A total of 13 people have been shot and injured since May 22, with the escalating violence prompting fears that Bermuda's gang problem is spiralling out of control.

According to Police figures released earlier this year, there are 17 gangs in Bermuda with around 350 members, ranging in age from 12 to 35.

Pastor Leroy Bean of the anti-gang initiative CARTEL told The Royal Gazette that since many gang members end up in prison "we're going to create a battleground at Westgate. It's going to be like a war zone up there if you're locking different types of groups up".

Asked for his view on that, Mr. Clarke acknowledged that life in Westgate was affected by gang tensions too but denied warfare was imminent.

"The prison is prepared if anything was to happen in our system," he said. "Most of them that come into the system, we try to separate them if we have any intelligence that they're related to, or are said to be, gang members. Some people will tell us when they come in that there are certain people they don't want to be around, and we do our best to minimise contact."

That can mean putting at-risk individuals in the segregation unit if necessary, where they are locked in their cells for 23 hours a day and have no contact with the general prison population.

"Whatever happens outside can always transmit into the inside. Prison is a microcosm of Bermuda at this stage, but I'm sure we're well prepared," said Mr. Clarke.

"We know what's happening on the streets and of course we are being more vigilant inside, and of course we know something could happen inside our walls. But people are trained and the Commissioner is doing a sterling job when it comes to training."

And he added: "Because we are a controlled environment, most inmates try to coexist."

Meanwhile Prison Commissioner Edward Lamb responded to Rev. Bean's comment by saying: "To allay any fears of 'all out gang warfare' in Westgate, let me state that we have for a long time been monitoring, and continue to monitor, the behaviour and affiliations of those who come into our care.

"Based on the intelligence we gather, and the circumstances of each inmate, we take the appropriate measures to ensure safety for all concerned."

Lt. Col. Lambe said Westgate has a "very good record of low numbers of incidents" and security arrangements are in place to keep it that way.

"We are well aware of the changing dynamics of those coming into our care and the challenges they pose," he added. "There are several programmes that we run throughout the year in order to empower all our inmates to become better and more productive citizens, not the least of which is a very successful GED programme.

"At the moment, as we regularly do, all our programmes are being reviewed with a view to implement those that might benefit all concerned, including the possibility of the one suggested."