NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A two-day symposium held by the Ministry of National Security is expected to review parole implementation and discuss recommendations that would assist prolific offenders with reentering society.
“It is imperative that governments and communities come up with effective intervention that can help ex-offenders successfully reenter the community and avoid a variety of challenges that can prevent them from being law abiding citizens,” said National Security Minister Marvin Dames.
The two-day symposium is being held at Baha Mar.
Dames said reports show that most returning offenders have difficulty managing the basic elements of successful reintegration such as finding and maintaining employment.
Parole, he said, is a structured and supervised transition system that provides inmates with the necessary support to reenter the community.
“The overall goal of this symposium is the review of the status of the technical corporation initiative between the IDB and the Department of Corrections, the creation of the platform to discuss the probation and parole committees report with feedback and recommendation,” Dames said.
Back in 2016, The Bahamas probation and parole committee began looking into recommendations for parole implementation. The National Security Minister said they plan to finish what that committee has started.
Today [Wednesday] officials are expected to examine the Conditional Release Bill.
Dames also noted that his ministry has a concern about recidivism. This, he said, stems from the community’s view on accepting former offenders back into the community.
