HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY CONTRIBUTION BY

HON. TOMMY TURNQUEST, M.P. MINISTER OF NATIOAL SECURITY

ON

COMPENDIUM OF ANTI-CRIME BILLS

Wednesday 19th October, 2011

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak in support of the compendium of Bills dealing with the Criminal Justice System. These ten (10) Bills will have a positive impact in the fight against crime, and is yet another meaningful intervention in the multi-faceted approach required to address this scourge.

I wish to commend the Member for Carmichael who has comprehensively outlined the details of the 10 Bills and has explained the purpose and expected results from these pieces of legislation.

I also wish to highlight the many contributions to this debate (on both sides) and to record the generally high level of debate.

Mr. Speaker, The Government is fully aware that the Bahamian people expect public safety and security to be given high priority on the national agenda and this FNM Government, by our actions, have demonstrated how serious we are about addressing crime through the many strategies and programmes implemented.

Mr. Speaker, We did not get into the crime situation with which we are faced overnight.

The proverb from the Book of Hosea 8:7 reminds us that “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind...".

As a country over the years, we have slowly allowed many of our fundamental Godly principles to be watered down, and we have permitted many minor infractions against the society to go unchecked, so much so that we now are faced with a high incidence of very serious infractions against the society.

We do not expect to solve the problems overnight but the initiatives we have put in place, and are putting in place, will reap positive results as they take root.

Mr. Speaker, This Government is committed to improving the functioning of the criminal justice system. This is not the first time we have amended our laws to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. In 2008, we introduced the Plea Bargaining Act to expedite the matters coming to the courts as we are faced with substantial back-log challenges, and justice and punishment not being seen to be done in a swift and certain manner. We have also amended the Juries Act. We have also taken steps to improve the physical infrastructure of the Judicial System. Today, the compendium of Bills before us now for consideration is part of the on-going efforts to improve the system of justice in our country.

Mr. Speaker, This Government had adopted a reasoned, coherent, coordinated and calculated strategy for countering crime in The Bahamas. My Ministry is part of a Government that is working as a team, cooperatively, in a multi-faceted way to counter crime and criminality and the fear of crime in The Bahamas. Consequently, ours is a strategy in which law enforcement agencies of the Ministry of National Security work hand in hand with the Attorney-General’s Office, Customs Department, the Department of Immigration, and the social ministries such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Housing.

In this debate, we heard some of the work which the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture, Social Services etc. have been doing to assist with the growth and development of our people and thus assist with the prevention of crime. Contrary to what the Member of Parliament for Farm Road has said, those contributions have highlighted the fact that there is a coordinated approach of behalf of this Government. In my contribution, I will outline the activities which agencies of the Ministry of National Security have implemented, and are implementing, as part of the Government’s crime fighting strategy.

Mr. Speaker, The strategies and programmes that this Government has been pursuing to a large extent reflect the considered thoughts and ideas of many law enforcement professionals, business people, academia and other concerned Bahamians. They were not developed in isolation detached from the realities that face us.

When it comes to being receptive to consultations and suggestions on addressing crime in The Bahamas, the Free National Movement Government has been most accommodating.

In fact as early as September 2007, I convened a National Assembly on Crime, attended by relevant stakeholders and a vast cross-section of our society. One of the recommendations coming out of that Assembly was the appointment of a National Advisory Council on Crime.

A National Advisory Council on Crime was appointed on 3 December, 2007. The Council heard from a broad cross-section of Bahamians, who made representations and suggestions that were taken into account before the Council’s final deliberations and report.

The Council was chaired by Bishop Simeon Hall and the other members were Mrs. Arlene Nash-Ferguson (Deputy Chair), Rev. Dr. Ivan Butler, Mr. Frank Comito, ACP Hulan Hanna, Ms. Anastarcia Huyler, Mr. Carlos Reid, Mr. Vincente Roberts, Ms. Maria Scott and Mr. Felix Stubbs.

The Council produced a report entailed: “Strategies for Addressing the Nation’s Crime Problem.” I tabled a copy of the Council’s report in Parliament in 2008, and I am pleased to report that many of the Council’s forty-one (41) recommendations have been implemented, or are being implemented.

Marco Archer Mr. Speaker,

I wish to take this opportunity to extend sympathies to the family of young Marco Archer who lost his life under very tragic circumstances.

Marco’s body has been positively identified by DNA analysis and the Police are working on a murder case.

Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed the timeline in this and while the Government has no objection to an inquiry into the police investigations of Marco Archer’s case, we want to ensure that the inquiry will in no way prejudice the murder investigation and impending court case.

Urban Renewal

Mr. Speaker, Members opposite have repeated their mantra that Urban Renewal is the key to solving crime in our country. This has been dealt with well by the Members for Montagu and Marco City. I just want to respond from the Police’s perspective.

There is no doubt that the Urban Renewal programme worked well overall, but it was deemed to be too politicized to be effective. The community policing aspect of it was also a good idea in theory because it was to provide the police with presence and intelligence-gathering. However, the problem with the PLP’s Urban Renewal programme was two-fold.

The first issue was that police found themselves in matters that were being politically pushed. Secondly, some police officers who were assigned to Urban Renewal reported directly to political masters rather than the proper chain of command in a disciplined organization like the Police Force up to the rank of Commissioner.

When I was appointed Minister of National Security in 2007, many people, including the police themselves, requested the police to be removed from the programme. The Police recommended that they do neighbourhood policing and work with Urban Renewal, which would be operated by social and welfare workers.

There’s no argument about the success of the Urban Renewal’s community policing, it’s was those issues where the police found themselves in an unfamiliar territory and gray areas that were politically driven.

Members opposite continue to tout the Urban Renewal Programme as being the panacea for all of our crime problems in The Bahamas. Further, they seek to brainwash the Bahamian people into believing that this Government abolished the Urban Renewal Programme. Both accusations are not true.

The Police Force has had a strong thrust towards community policing for many years. The best way to assist the police is for the public to get involved in crime watch groups and not to harbour or cloak criminals. The revival of volunteerism in our communities would also be very helpful in providing inspiration and mentorship to our young people, especially ‘at risk’ youths as it promotes community safety and crime prevention.

Mr. Speaker, We all agree that the level of crime is at an unacceptable level in our country. I heard a comment earlier in the debate that it was difficult to get crime and prison statistics in the Bahamas. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Mr. Speaker, I now table Crime Statistics for the year up October 11, 2011 with comparable statistics for the same period last year.

In analyzing our crime statistics for this year, we note that: Crimes against person:

• 44% increase in murder (from 72 to 104)

• 29% increase in attempted murder (from 7 to 9)

•38% increase in rape (from 58 to 80)

• 18% increase in attempted rape (from 22 to 26)

• 16% increase in robbery (from 237 to 274) Crimes against property:

• 12% decrease in burglary (from 293 to 258)

• 9% increase in housebreaking (from 2,293 to 2,502)

• 58% increase in stealing from vehicles (from 1,180 to 1,868)

Analysis of Homicides

An analysis of the murder cases also reveal that many of the victims and the suspects are known to the Police. Members opposite have tried to portray this analysis as cavalier and uncaring. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have said repeatedly that the majority of our murders are as a result of persons involved in criminal enterprise. That is a fact! That doesn’t give me any comfort, because in the main, these are young, Bahamian males who are being murdered. I am concerned about these murders, but I am more concerned about those innocent victims, those armed robbery victims, who are killed by these thugs.

Of the 105 murders that have been committed to date, 72% of them have been perpetrated by the use of firearms and 15% have been caused by the use of a knife.

I also note that sixty-six percent (66%) of the 105 murders are directly related to criminal enterprises with the motives of drugs, conflict and retaliation, 15% was robbery and nine percent (9%) domestic related.

Our Police Force has had a 52% success rate in solving these murders.

Mr. Speaker, A report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that the murder rates in the Caribbean and Central America are the highest in the world. They highlighted that the strongest explanation for the high rates of crime and violence in our region is narcotics trafficking. They further point out that the drug trade drives crime in a number of ways - by provoking property crimes that are related to addiction, by contributing to the widespread availability of firearms and by violence that is tied to trafficking, among other things. Our statistics in The Bahams bear this out.

As overwhelming as it may seem today, the issue of crime and violence did not suddenly take The Bahamas by storm. We did not wake up one morning and suddenly find our borders overrun by murderers, drug dealers and robbers. Over the past thirty years, nations with strategic locations such as The Bahamas became transshipment points for wealthy drug barons, and regrettably, we have been subjected to an onslaught by the criminal underworld.

Number of Persons charged with serious crimes in 2010 and 2011 that are on bail Mr. Speaker,

I am pleased that we are dealing with the question of bail under the Bail (Amendment) Bill. Persons out on bail for serious offences are of major concern.

There are forty-two (42) persons who have been charged in 2010 with the serious crime of murder, armed robbery or rape who are on bail; of that number seven (7) were placed on electronic monitoring system. Twenty-six (26) persons charged with the serious offence of murder, rape or armed robbery in 2011 are on bail and six (6) of them have been placed on the electronic monitoring system.

In summary, as we address the unacceptable level of crime in our country, there are sixty-eight (68) persons who were charged with the serious crime of murder, rape or armed robbery in 2010 or 2011 who are on bail and only thirteen (13) of them are on the electronic monitoring system.

The truth of the matter is that too many persons on bail are committing criminal offences. Section 19(3) of our Constitution provides that a person be brought before the Courts and tried within a reasonable time, or be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions. Mr. Speaker, we need to try these cases in a reasonable time.

These persons are creating havoc on our streets and in our neighbourhoods. I echo the frustration of the Police, who work hard in taking alleged criminals off the streets, only to have them return to commit more crimes.

Mr. Speaker, As the vast majority of us go about our daily routine, our law enforcement officials are working to protect us and are on the front line fighting crime. I take this opportunity on behalf of all peaceful right-thinking Bahamians to publicly commend the men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Her Majesty’s Prison for the yeomen work they continue to do in protecting our country.

Mr. Speaker, The Government continues to provide the necessary resources and support to ensure that our Law Enforcement Agencies can effectively get the job done. In addition, we have strengthened the agencies to make them more effective.

Reorganization of the Royal Bahamas Police Force

Mr. Speaker, This government has modernized the organization, methods and technologies of the Royal Bahamas Police Force so that it is positioned to effectively and efficiently address crime in The Bahamas. The process of modernization of the Police Force began in 1999 when the Free National Movement Administration engaged the services of CDR International to undertake a strategic review of the Force. When we returned to office in 2007, we continued with the work of developing and improving the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

We placed emphasis on merit and leadership, increased welfare of Police Officers, the acquisition of assets and equipment, extensive training, funding, forensics, technology, including communication technology, the Police Cadet Programme, the upgrading of the Police College and Neighbourhood Policing.

Mr. Speaker, you would recall that in April 2007, right before the last General Election, there was a massive promotion exercise in the Royal Bahamas Police Force, with 449 officers being promoted. The promotion exercise resulted in the promotion of a large number of Senior Officers with their reassignment from frontline policing and was diametrically opposed to a recommendation of the CDR Strategic Review Report which called to attention the urgent need for:

“… a leaner and fitter command chain which should ensure an appropriate development of responsibilities and provide middle managers with more clearly defined roles and responsibilities.”

It was left to the FNM Government to effect change, and make the tough decisions. We have been able to put in place a well structured, well managed Royal Bahamas Police Force by maintaining the necessary balance in its workforce through the continued recruitment at the base and continued retirement at the top. We have ensured that there is a critical mass of Officers at all levels that perform the day to day work of the Force. Indeed, for the period 2007 to present, there have been new 414 enlistments onto the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

It is a known fact in policing strategy that those who lead from the front get the best results in terms of reducing the incidence of crime and the fear of crime. And this is precisely what we have observed here in The Bahamas with the restructuring of the Police Force and continued appropriate deployment.

While we have not been able to effect general promotions within the Police Force while we rebalance the organization, we have increased take home pay by the widening scales by 2 increments, and also by the increase in uniform and detective allowances. Notwithstanding the Executive Management Team (EMT) is currently reviewing suitable officers for promotion.

The public can be assured that as and when any kind of unacceptable behaviour by any officer is drought to the attention of the authorities that office will be separated from the Force and if appropriate prosecuted before our courts.

Mr. Speaker,

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has been resourced with the required tools by the Free National Movement Government, to the fullest extent possible within the availability of resources at its disposal. Just in January of this year, $8.5 million was made available for the acquisition of resources ranging from vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, communication equipment, crime scene investigation equipment, and specialty vehicles for surveillance. Additionally, two (2) Compact Mobile Command Centers were acquired at a cost of just under $400,000. I am happy to report that the Police took possession of one (1) of those Command Centers earlier this week. We fully expect that these mobile command centers would to be very effective in deterring and detecting crimes in hot spot areas of New Providence. We have also invested $3 million in an upgrade of the Police Control room, and have just purchased 43 new vehicles for the Family Islands, costing $1.3 million. We are renovating the CDU Building on Thompson Boulevard for a cost of $1.2 million. We don’t just talk; we back up our pledges with money and action.

Gun Control Mr. Speaker, Drugs and firearms are serious threats to our crime situation. The UNODC Report confirms this. The amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act and the Firearms Act will undoubtedly assist in the fight against crime.

The Bahamas, like other countries in the region, serves as a transit point for drugs moving north and illicit firearms moving south. Increasingly, however, the guns (and some of the drugs) are staying in the region and are contributing to the increasing rate of crime and violence throughout the region, including The Bahamas.

Firearm Confiscation

Guns are the dominant weapons used in the violence that we see in our communities and measures to remove the illegal guns from our communities are necessary. The Police Force has been realizing considerable success in confiscating illegal guns and ammunitions from our streets. For this year to date, 361 guns and 6,044 rounds of ammunition have been confiscated from our streets.

Gun Amnesty

In addition to the Police Force’s intensified efforts to search for and seize illicit guns from our communities, the Government has instituted a 30-day gun amnesty, declaring a firearms moratorium period from 5th October, 2011 to 3rd November, 2011. To date, 18 firearms and 3,386 live rounds of ammunition have been turned in to the Police under the Firearms Amnesty Order. All citizens and other persons are requested to turn in to the police any and all unlicensed firearms in their possession during this period.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Church for the support they have given to the firearms amnesty. In particular, I wish to thank Rev. Dr. Simeon Hall for his public appeal to the public for persons to turn in illegal weapons. Also, the Most Reverend Patrick Pinder, Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nassau, is to be commended for instructing (by letter) all parishes under his leadership to immediately establish a Firearms Amnesty Committee. The Firearms Amnesty Committee would receive any firearms left at the parish by any person wishing to turn them in during the amnesty period. The Committee of 3 to 5 persons that ideally is to be made up of members of the legal profession, the Police and Defence Forces is to record the firearm and surrender them to the police immediately.

Firearms marking machine

The Bahamas was one of the first OAS Member States to sign an agreement to participate in a firearms marking project to help law enforcement trace recovered firearms used in crimes as well as in identifying trafficking routes and traffickers. Firearms’ marking is therefore an important tool in assisting to combat crime.

On a daily basis a dedicated team at the Police Force Armoury is utilizing the Firearms Marking Machine to mark recovered and confiscated weapons. We are very pleased with the work being done in this regard to properly mark and destroy illegal weapons in conformity with International Conventions.

Court dedicated to address gun possession

In March 2011 a court (Magistrate Court No. 9 at Nassau, Street) was dedicated to hear cases of firearms possession thus expediting the disposition of such cases. This court has been of tremendous assistance and has had tremendous success in moving cases through the judicial system.

From 10th March, 2011 to 30th September, 2011 seventy-eight (78) firearm cases have been heard and completed before that court.

In addition to looking at addressing gun control we have taken measures to address crime by addressing the structural causes of violence and crime. The Government has scaled up its social interventions aimed at reducing disparities, creating sustainable livelihoods for youth, men and women, and at improving conflict resolution, parenting and life skills.

Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers Bill, 2011

I am pleased that this package of Bills includes the Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers Bill and the Amendment to the Customs Management Act. The ‘Cash for Gold’ industry has enabled persons to dispose of jewelry (particularly gold) in exchange for cash. This has fuelled criminal activity resulting in an increasing number of serious offences against the person. In order to deter such criminal activity, there is a need to regulate the industry, thereby making it difficult for persons to dispose of stolen jewelry without being traced.

The Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers Bill, 2011, seeks to regulate the industry in order to monitor the activities of, and deter unlawful property transactions through pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers, as well as facilitate the efforts to law enforcement in recovering stolen articles and solving property crimes.

The Bill contains provisions for requiring both pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers to keep records for the purposes of verifying, identifying and reporting stolen goods, and is drafted sufficiently wide enough to cover the observed growing trend in the business of pawn broking and secondhand dealers.

The drafting of the Bill was facilitated by discussions that were held with existing pawnbrokers regarding the regulation of their businesses, and whose input is incorporated in the Bill and a review of the laws in other jurisdictions.

Criminal Deportees

The United States has deported thousands of convicted criminals to the Caribbean annually since 1996, when Congress mandated that every non-citizen sentenced to a year or more in prison be deported out of the country upon release. Some countries in the Caribbean have been able to link the bold and sophisticated crimes and soaring homicide rates in their countries to the return of hardened ex-convicts. A CARICOM study also found that many deported persons continue to engage in crime subsequent to their deportation.

From 2007 to date some 473 Bahamians have been deported from foreign jurisdictions and, whilst most of the deportations have been as a consequence of violating immigrations laws, some 42% of the deportees had been convicted drug related offences. The matter of criminal deportees returning to The Bahamas from foreign jurisdictions (principally the United States) is therefore one that is of concern to law enforcement agencies and one that warrants constant monitoring.

The National Anti-Drug Secretariat

With the objective of getting the community involved in addressing crime, the National Anti-Drug Secretariat within my Ministry has been mandated to establish a public/private sector partnership aimed at developing, implementing and sustaining a National Campaign against Drugs and Crime. The purpose of this campaign is to raise public awareness to the destruction that drugs and crime continue to visit on our Society.

As one of the initiatives in this National Campaign, my Ministry brought together a Multi-Sectoral Committee, to plan and execute a number of drug awareness-raising activities to commemorate the United Nations led International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, celebrated on 26th June. Included in the activities organized by the Committee were a very successful fun-walk, and a massive four-point solidarity march against drugs. Both the walk and the march targeted primarily young people who are the most at-risk group with regard to drugs and crime.

The National Anti-Drug Secretariat in partnership with Ms. Debbie Bartlett and the CEO Network, organized a series of meetings with heads of the Law Enforcement Agencies, leaders and former leaders of gangs from throughout New Providence and myself. The gang leaders and former gang leaders expressed the desire to step away from criminal activities and were looking for ways to begin making positive contributions within their respective communities. Many of them like Valentino (Scroogie) Brown of Movement For Change, Omar Thompson of United Against Crime, and Keno (Bones) Bastian, shared good ideas for economic improvement and increased community cohesiveness, but lacked the opportunity to see their ideas manifested.

Through the persistent effort and direction of staff members of my ministry and Ms. Bartlett of the CEO Network, a number of these men are now being directed in the right path. Several colleague ministers also have agreed to assist with providing employment opportunities for these men. In fact, the Government through Department of Environmental Health Services(DEHS) will be signing contracts to begin removing derelict vehicles from communities and generally cleaning up their neighbourhoods.

My Ministry is also encouraging these men to participate in training courses in areas like such as agriculture and fishing, and to undergo courses in anger management, drug counseling etc.

The media led by the Bahamas Information Service, ZNS, and GEMS, has been very supportive of this National Campaign, and I wish to encourage all community groups, religious institutions, and corporate citizens, to partner with the Ministry of National Security, and the CEO Network, as we seek to establish a successful national model for the Transformation of our Inner Cities.

Protecting our Borders and Seas

Mr. Speaker, the Member for Cat Island and San Salvador spoke about the PLP’s Project Safe Bahamas.

One area he spoke about was equipping the RBDF to patrol our waters. I wonder where he and his colleagues have been living. It was the Free National Government who operationalized the Bahamas Defence Force Southern Command from Inagua by stationing vessels thee to actually patrol the Southern borders. We have also provided two (2) new aircraft and ten (10) new additional boats. We have engaged 300 new recruits between 2007 and this year.

The Royal Bahams Defence Force has 25 functioning vessels and 3 aircrafts and plans are progressing for the acquisition of eleven (11) additional mid to long range vessels.

Steps continue to be taken for the establishment of the Defence Force Satellite Base at Gun Pint, Ragged Island. This will have a dramatic positive impact in dealing with the poaching of our marine resources on the Great Bahamas Bank.

Electronic Monitoring System

The Electronic Monitoring system was instituted in December last year to assist with reducing the sentenced inmate population of Her Majesty Prison and to better monitor persons who are placed on bail. The EM System is able to police of the whereabouts of an individual and hence it is a very effective in assisting the police solving crimes. Indeed that has been the experience of our Police Force.

As of Monday 17th October, 2011 there were 179 offenders in the Electronic Monitoring Program out of which 162 are being actively monitored by the Electronic Monitoring Center. Seventeen (17) persons breached their terms of their monitoring and have been remanded to Prison.

We are completely satisfied with the Electronic Monitoring Programme and are assured that the programme helps with the prevention of crime and can help control the number of reoccurring offences by those on bail. In fact the programme is so effective that officials from Trinidad and Tobago have visited us and have now implemented the electronic monitoring programme with the same international partners as providers.

Mr. Speaker, it cost the people of The Bahamas approximately $38 per day to accommodate an inmate at Her Majesty’s Prisons as opposed to $15 per day to monitor an individual by the electronic monitoring programme.

Since the commencement of the Electronic Monitoring Programme the Government of The Bahamas has paid a total of $878,851.30 for services rendered by ICS of The Bahamas Co. Ltd. and international partners.

The Electronic Monitoring Programme is currently being implemented on the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Exuma.

I wish to commend the men and women of the Electronic Monitoring Centre and the Law Enforcement Officers who continue to provide excellent services in making this programme such a success.

CCTV

Like the Electronic Monitoring System, the Close Circuit Television System (CCTV) is an effective tool in crime management – in deterring the commission of crime and in providing credible evidence to assist with solving crimes. The Government is about to complete the extensive process of selecting the appropriate vendor with which to partner in collaboration with private sector for the implementation of the CCTV within the targeted areas of New Providence.

Partial Prison Lockdown Lifted Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that a partial lockdown was imposed upon one of the housing facilities at Her Majesty’s Prison earlier this week due to a missing key. This partial lock-down has since been lifted.

Since the incident, alternative measures have been put in place to render the missing key useless so as to ensure that the facility’s security and safety measures remain at optimum levels.

At no time was public safety threatened as a result of this incident and it is anticipated that following a formal investigation by the Prison’s Internal Affairs Unit, certain officers may be required to answer charges before the institution’s Disciplinary Tribunal.

Rehabilitation of Prisoners Mr. Speaker, We continue to hear inaccurate reports about over-crowding and in-humane conditions for inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison. Significant improvements have made at HMP to facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into our society. I hope the day will soon come when ZNS and others will cease broadcasting footage of conditions that have long ceased to exit at the Prison and show the significant improvements that have occurred.

Her Majesty Prison has a total capacity for 1,348 inmates. The inmate population as at today’s date is 1,316. Seven hundred and six (706) or 53% of the inmates have been sentenced by the courts and six hundred and ten (610) or 47% have been remanded by the courts. The high population of persons on remand is contributing to a larger number of persons being housed in the maximum security section of the prison than it was intended to accommodate. The maximum security section was designed to ideally accommodate 450 persons but currently 685 persons are housed there.

The rehabilitation thrust at Her Majesty’s Prison is necessarily on-going and wide in scope. It encompasses inmate classification (to ensure that inmates of like risks and inclinations are housed together); proper sentence planning a wide range of technical-vocational and academic programme; attitude adjustment and behavioral modification programme; a day release work programme as well as faith-based initiatives.

The educational thrust for inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison is purposefully tilted towards preparation for self-employment upon release. The Government of The Bahamas has been working assiduously to ensure that Her Majesty’s Prison is turned around so that the men and women who walk free from it become productive members of our communities. And, we are getting more of our people to accept that you cannot bring about change in human beings by dehumanizing them. You bring about change by uplifting them.

I am advised that since 2005, the yardstick used to measure recidivism has been defined as any sentenced person admitted to H.M.P. who had previously served a prison sentence. This measurement is considered far more reliable than other less stringent criteria and is in keeping with the United Nations recommendations. I am to point out that persons on remand are not factored into the recidivism figure as they have not been sentenced.

We have observed significant decreases in the rate of recidivism over the past several years. In 2005 the rate was as high as 42% compared to a rate of 18% in 2010.

The Remand Court

Mr. Speaker, We are all familiar with the challenges faced with having to transport persons on remand between Her Majesty’s Prison and the courts in the city. It has been costing the public purse significant sums and the safety of inmates, law enforcement officers and the general public has been put at great risk.

I am pleased to advise that a Remand Court has been constructed in Fox Hill in very close proximity to Her Majesty’s Prison and it is expected that this court will become operational in the very near future.

The Evidence Amendment Bill that is before us for consideration will facilitate optimal operation of the Remand Court as it has three (3) video-conferencing booths that can each be outfitted with video-conferencing systems. Thus, in addition a magistrate being physically present at the Remand Court to conduct remand hearings, three (3) other remand hearings can be heard at the simultaneously. This is so as the Remand Court will have video-conferencing will be linkage to courts in the new Magistrates Courts Complex on South Street, the Supreme Court and a court in Grand Bahama.

Conclusion

Mr. Speaker, Everyone is called upon to do their part in the fight against crime. This is not just a public relations exercise for making speeches for the camera. In this regard the record of the Free National Movement Government is there for all to see. We have over time implemented considered and practical strategies and programmes to address crime. The sustained results of our efforts will not necessarily be seen overnight as addressing the root causes of crimes involve investment in a range of socio-economic initiatives before we see the transformation of our society.

To reverse gripping hold on crime in The Bahamas requires the total commitment by all over the long term to uphold and support law enforcement, to support those at risk in our communities through volunteerism and to provide the opportunities for the young.

Mr. Speaker, Effective anti-crime strategies require much more than tough action by the Police, no matter how effective that action is. In addition to the work of law enforcement and related agencies, effective crime strategies require a country-wide response, from each individual, civic organizations, the Church, and the community, including the business community.

Long before a crime is actually committed, long before the Police are called in, long before a perpetrator is apprehended, arrested and brought before the courts, long before that perpetrator is tried and sentenced; the seeds of the crime would have been sown, in our homes, in our communities and in our beloved nation.

We must do what it takes to get us back on track. To get back on track, we must not turn a blind eye to crime, whether drug trafficking, illegal gun possession, murder, robbery, encouragement of illegal immigration, or general lawlessness.

We must not be permissive when those close to us commit crimes. We must be prepared, in confidence, to tell the Police what we know. We must tell the Police who have that gun, before it kills somebody. We must tell the Police where that drug house is in our neighbourhood. We must join Neighbourhood Watches and Crime Watch Groups, and we must become our brother and sister’s keepers.

One of the striking features of our crime problem is the anti-social behaviour and criminal acts of our young people, particularly our young men. We must do our part, as parents, teachers and religious and civic leaders to counter negative influences in the lives of our children and young people and to bring those who are marginalized back into our society.

Mr. Speaker, As I listened to and watched the Prime Minister in his address to the nation on Crime on October 3rd, I was gripped by his words when he said “In the end it is the quality of parenting, not the quantity that is essential”. This is an absolute reality. All of us have to take responsibility for rearing our children and it must be our primary responsibility.

I am encouraged by the many examples of governmental and civic initiatives dedicated to building patriotism, character and discipline in our young. These initiatives make our young people part of the solution and not part of the problem. We need to intensify our efforts to celebrate and support our young people in this way, to accept them as a force for good. In doing so, we teach them to respect each other, to respect authority, to respect those in authority, to respect their teachers and importantly, to enhance our prospects of taking violence out of our schools and off our streets.

Mr. Speaker, The Bills before us, the initiatives by the Police and other law enforcement agencies, the involvement of parents, the intervention of the church and the active partnership of the community are all necessary if we are to be successful in the fight against crime. I pledge today to recommit myself and to continue to do my part as a Government Minister, as a father and as a citizen of the greatest little country in the world, to restore peace and tranquility in our land. What about you?

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support these Bills.