Behind the gates of Her Majesty's Prisons, crimes are being committed by both inmates and prison officers, National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage said yesterday.
Nottage said some incarcerated criminals order hits while a small group of "rouge" prison officers supply inmates with contraband.
"With respect to the importation of contraband, it is well known that illicit drugs and cellular telephones are the contraband items of choice in prisons worldwide," he said while addressing the Caribbean Association of Corrections Conference at SuperClubs Breezes.
"These twin evils continue to wreak havoc on prison administrations because of the polluting and contaminating influence on institutional law and order and public safety generally.
"The incorporation of various technological devices to stem the stream of contraband smuggling has met with varying degrees of success.
"I am advised that this is because most of our penal institutions are saddled with a relatively small band of highly organized rogue officers who use trafficking as a part time occupation."
Nottage said in order to reduce the problem, officials must not only focus on trying to identify those who are corrupt, but must find ways to incentivize officers "who are otherwise law abiding but indifferent and silent in the face of wrongdoing."
"So members of ACHCPS (Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prison Services) must find new ways not just to oppose corruption; it is your duty to expose it," Nottage said.
He said the emergence of gang activity in prisons is also a major concern.
"Given the poisonous, insidious impact of gangs in our prison systems, no effort should be spared to eradicate them by all lawful means necessary," Nottage said.
"In the case of The Bahamas, I am advised that organized gangs in our prison system is a relatively new phenomenom. Not only do gangs spell violence but they are often central to hits being ordered on law-abiding witnesses and ordinary citizens.
"I note from your program that one of your sessions will examine the role of gangs within prisons. It is my hope that as a result of your deliberations you may help to formulate new ideas and policies on how we may best deal with this vexing problem."
In recent years, some witnesses have been murdered.
Earlier this month, two people who were witnesses in an approaching murder trial were killed.
Dario Dean, 23, and his mother Nora Mae Johnson, 53, were shot to death at an apartment on Buttonwood Avenue in Pinewood Gardens on June 5.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian