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Prison
Symposium Focuses on Crime in The Bahamas
Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2008
By: Matt Maura, Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, Bahamas - Stemming the violence and killings
that are claiming young male lives while causing the prison
system to be populated with many other young Bahamian males,
continue to be two of the major priorities of the Government
of The Bahamas, Minister of State for Immigration Senator,
the Hon. Elma Campbell said Monday.
Addressing a Crime Prevention Symposium at Her Majesty’s
Prison, Senator Campbell said officials at the correctional
facility should be applauded for staging the symposium as it
“clearly reflects” the national resolve to work individually
and collectively to halt and reverse recent disturbing
trends in crime and criminality in The Bahamas.
The symposium was held with the objective of investigating
the causes, consequences and cures for crime in The Bahamas.
- Minister of State for
Immigration, Senator, the Hon. Elma Campbell (second left)
responds to a question during a Crime Prevention Symposium
hosted Monday, March 10 (2008) by Her Majesty's Prison, Fox
Hill. The symposium was held under the theme: "Crime in The
Bahamas: Causes, Consequences, Cures." Pictured from left
are: Ms. Missouri Sherman-Peter, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of National Security, Minister Campbell, Dr.
Elliston Rahming, Superintendent of Prisons and Commodore
Clifford W. Scavella, Commander, Defence Force. (BIS
Photo/Patrick Hanna)
Senator Campbell said the symposium also provided government
and law enforcement officials with an opportunity to hear
from persons convicted of committing crimes as they move
forward in formulating and implementing effective crime
prevention policies and strategies.
It also, she noted, allows inmates to hear from victims of
crimes and for ex-offenders to share their views and
experiences on their efforts to reintegrate into society.
“The Government needs input from the broadest cross-section
of our country and our communities if we are to
appropriately address contemporary crime problems in The
Bahamas,” Ms. Campbell said. “It needs input to formulate
and implement effective crime prevention and criminal
justice policies and strategies.”
Senator Campbell said the symposium is part of a coherent
plan of action that is being taken to help fight crime and
criminality in The Bahamas and the scope of work that must
be done.
“In this context, gatherings including the National Assembly
on Crime which was convened in September 2007, the more
recent National Youth Anti-Crime and Anti-Violence Forum
held February 2008, and this symposium, help to clarify the
facts and stakeholders’ opinions of the facts. This in turn,
makes for a more comprehensive, strategic approach to crime
prevention and criminal justice,” Ms. Campbell said.
Senator Campbell pointed out that during the National
Assembly on Crime, the voices of civil society, law
enforcement and academia were heard and that action is being
taken.
She said the voices of the young people of The Bahamas were
heard in the Youth Forum and action is being taken with
regards to the recommendations coming out of those
discussions.
“Today, the voices of the convicted inmates of Her Majesty’s
Prison will be heard. Inmates will hear the voices of
victims of crime (and) Community Representatives will hear
the views and experiences of ex-offenders, in particular, on
their efforts to reintegrate into Bahamian society.
“What we hear today in this symposium will no doubt provide
information and raise awareness in a way that will broaden
the crime prevention and criminal justice agenda. It is
forums such as this that make national policies and
strategies more holistic and comprehensive and help to build
a national, united front against crime and criminality.
“Importantly, with the facts in hand, action taken can be
commensurate with the manifestation, dimensions and severity
of the problem. This is the approach being taken by the
National Crime Council in carrying out its mandate to advise
government on strategic approaches it might take to crime
and criminality and the fear of crime in The Bahamas,” Ms.
Campbell added.
The Minister of State for Immigration said strategies to
engage a significant majority of the country’s young men
“positively and constructively” in the development of their
country and communities is critical, and that there is a
“desperate need” for role models and mentors.
“The service clubs, fraternities and Lodges that have
developed programmes for young men and women are to be
commended. Others are urged to do the same,” Senator
Campbell added.
