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Caribbean prison officers attend four-day workshop in
Bahamas |
May 17, 2007:
NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS): Prison officers from around the
region and internationally are in the Bahamas for the start
of a four-day workshop to discuss the myriad of problems
facing prisons everywhere, including overcrowding,
recidivism and rehabilitation.
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Minister of National Security 'Tommy'
Turnquest speaks during the Caribbean Correctional
Summit. BIS Photo |
Minister of National Security 'Tommy' Turnquest speaks
during the Caribbean Correctional Summit. BIS Photo
National Security Minister 'Tommy' Turnquest welcomed the
officers to the Bahamas on Tuesday and assured local prison
officers that the government will do all in its power to
bring about prison reform.
It was the first opportunity he had to speak to members of
Her Majesty’s Prison services since the Bahamian people
returned the Free National Movement (FNM) to office, May 2,
and he was given ministerial portfolio for National Security
with responsibilities for Immigration.
The sessions are held at the headquarters of the Royal
Bahamas Police Force.
He planned to “articulate my vision for prison reform” when
he met with Prison Officers again.
“I have a passion for prison reform and I have a great
interest in ensuring that we improve conditions at the
prison, both for inmates and for prisons staff," said
Turnquest, the Member of Parliament for Mount Moriah.
“I shall be meeting with the Superintendent and relevant
officers, including the Prison Staff Association, to share
the vision of my government as articulated in our Trust
Agenda and together, in a spirit of partnership, we will
strategize and chart the way forward,” he said.
Prison Superintendent Dr Elliston Rahming and other top
brass at the Prison were in attendance. The officers will
deal with the many problems common to prison around the
region and internationally. |
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Turnquest said that the prison system in The Bahamas shared
many of the challenges in prisons around the Caribbean.
“The challenges include ageing correctional infrastructure,
severe over-crowding, outdated legislative and regulatory
framework, limited funding for planned expansion and
manifold human resource issues,” he said.
He expected delegates, in their discussions, to share
emerging best practices, and to develop strategies to assist
prison institutions in moving forward.
“In the Bahamas I am firmly committed to moving Her
Majesty’s Prison towards acceptable international
standards,” said Turnquest. “In fact, my government will
systematically and resolutely implement our manifesto
commitments to the Bahamian people.”
He also identified prison security, staff morale, a
reduction in the rate of recidivism and “enhancing the
prospects of successful re-integration of offenders upon
completion of their sentence,” as other challenges delegates
needed to address.
He said he intended to develop a prison system that was
“more humane,” more “empowering” and “ennobling.”
Turnquest also called on all social partners to join hands
in dealing with recidivism |
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