Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin H. Dames announced, on September 25, 2019, that there were a number of boards and committees that were under the purview of his Ministry.
“There is a total of seven boards -- one newly instituted, two reconstituted and four previously existing – that bolster the efforts of the Ministry of National Security in service to the people of The Bahamas,” Minister Dames noted, during a press conference at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, at the Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters.
Among those present included Acting Permanent Secretary Eugene Poitier; Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson; Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel; Commissioner of Correctional Services Charles Murphy; and other senior uniformed officers, board and committee members and stakeholders.
Minister Dames went further to give a brief overview of each Board and gave the names of the members who sit on them.
While speaking on the newly-instituted Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee, Minister Dames said that, for years after having served their sentences, ex-convicts have continued to be discriminated against in the wider society.
“This Committee is mandated to review records and empowered to make recommendations for the expungement of the records of ex-convicts meeting the criteria set out by law.
“The Committee will be chaired by former Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Farquharson (QPM); and the members include Mr. Khalil Parker; Mr. Darron Rolle; Pastor Shameka Morley; Fr. Kendrick Forbes, Vicar General; and a representative from the Department of Social Services.”
While pointing out the reconstituted boards, Minister Dames noted that the Aid to Discharged Prisoners is the only non-statutory Board. He added that oftentimes when inmates leave prison, they require housing, counseling and a myriad of other assistance, as well as support.
“This Committee works closely with Prison Fellowship Bahamas to provide the support and necessities in an effort to ensure seamless reintegration into society and positively affect recidivism numbers,” he said. Members of that board are Archdeacon Keith Cartwright and Rev. Patrick Paul.”
In the Police Complaints Inspectorate, Minister Dames said, members are mandated to review the investigation and determination of any complaint by the Complaints and Corruption Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, to ensure that investigations are conducted without bias.
The Inspectorate will be chaired by Attorney Ms. Tanya McCartney; and other members include Mr. John Ferguson; Mr. Matthew Aubry; Mr. Allan Emmanuel; Mr. Franklyn Bethel; and Mr. Hilbert Collie.
“This is one of the boards that the press has been asking about,” he added. Minister Dames noted that the board has already started working.
Minister Dames stated that the previously-existing boards were the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, Correctional Service Review Board, Defence Commission Board and Police Service Board.
Minister said that the collective body that is the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy is required to deliberate upon petitions of inmates seeking leniency for either lesser sentences or permission to work while serving sentences. Committee members can also advise that counseling be given to inmates, after review of their files, he added.
“The Committee is chaired by, as constituted by law, the Minister of National Security; and other members of that committee are the sitting Attorney General, Hon. Carl Bethel; Pastor Mario Moxey; Ms. Dorcas Williams; Mr. Reginald Ferguson (QPM); and Dr. David Allen.
Minister Dames said that Members of Correctional Service Review Board Board are tasked with job placement of existing inmates by matching the skillset of inmates with available jobs through the Intramural Work Programme on the Corrections Compound; and the Extramural Work Programme outside of the compound, with the private sector.
“Mr. Anthony Hamilton is the chairperson of that board, and Mr. Troy Clarke is the deputy chair; and other members are: Dr. Albert Francois, a Ministry of Health Representative; Mr. Edison Sumner; Mr. Hilbert Collie; Rev. Patrick Paul and Archdeacon Keith Cartwright.
Minister Dames said that the Defence Commission Board has the responsibility of the commissioning of officers. The Board is chaired by a member of the Public Service in the person of Ms. Theresa Deleveaux.
“Members of the Board include retired Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe and Commander Raymond King,” he added.
In the Police Service Commission, Minister Dames pointed out, members are empowered to make recommendations for the appointments and promotions of officers within the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who have obtained the rank of Inspector or above.
He noted, “The Commission is chaired by Rev. Dr. Philip Stubbs; and other members of that board include two retired Police Commissioners, Mr. Reginald Ferguson, and Mr. Paul Farquharson (both QPMs).”
“I want to publicly thank each member for agreeing to serve in their varying capacities and I look forward to many positive results,” Minister Dames said.
Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames announces the board and committees under the purview of his Ministry, on September 25, 2019, during a press conference at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, at the Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters.
(BIS Photos / Eric Rose)
