Amendments to the Penal Code would impose harsher penalties on people who participate in, or are a part of organized criminal groups in the country.
The proposed amendments are expected to be debated in the House of Assembly today, along with five other anti-crime bills that seek to impose heavier sentences on people convicted of serious offenses.
According to the bill, anyone who is convicted of being in an unlawful gang or participates in or contributes to the activities of an unlawful gang would be liable to a fine of $500,000, and imprisonment for 20 years, subject to a minimum term of 15 years.
"This bill seeks to bring this code in line with The Bahamas' international obligations to suppress organized crime under the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, and nationally to discourage membership in criminal gangs," the bill reads.
"The harsh penalties contained in this bill will be an effective deterrent to the plague by gang membership and organized crime to public order and safety, and this bill is intended to reclaim our streets and communities from criminal gang activity."
The bill describes an unlawful gang as any organized criminal group, or other body, consisting of three or more people who participate in illegal activities.
It defines an organized criminal group as a structured group of three or more people or legal entity, existing for a period of time that intends to commit serious offenses in order to obtain financial benefit.
In determining whether people participate in, or contribute to, an unlawful gang activity, the bill provides that the court may consider whether the person uses a name, word or other representation that identifies, or is associated with, an unlawful gang; frequently associates with any people who constitute an unlawful gang; receives any benefit from an unlawful gang; or frequently engages in activities at the instruction of any person a part of an unlawful gang.
It also states that any person who participates in, or contributes to the activities of an unlawful gang in the commission of an indictable offense, and is party to an offense of an unlawful gang would be liable upon conviction to a fine of $500,000 and 20 year's imprisonment, subject to a minimum of 15 years.
Anyone found in possession of a bulletproof vest -- whether lawfully obtained or not -- that is being used for the benefit of an unlawful gang would be liable upon conviction to a fine of $100,000 and 20 year's imprisonment, subject to a minimum of 15 years.
The bills were tabled in the House of Assembly last month.
The last package of anti-crime bills was brought by the Ingraham administration in 2011.

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