Rotary Road to Peace and PACT assist youth at new juvenile correctional facility

Wed, Jun 7th 2023, 12:54 PM

The Ministry of National Security has overseen the newly renovated Juvenile Correctional Facility at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS), created for youth awaiting court proceedings and with the goal of rehabilitating youth offenders. The facility was given new beds and classroom desks, and visitors were told about the extracurricular, medical, and mental health programs and religious services available that will be offered to residents.

Previously, the dozen young men were at the BDOCS long-term facility with adult offenders. The Rotary Road to Peace Committee and the PACT Urban Peace Program donated 20 kits of tee shirts and undergarments that were purchased from local retailer Sandy’s for juvenile offenders.

Chairman of Road to Peace, Mike Russell and Rotarian Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, co-founder of the PACT program in The Bahamas, worked with Ministry of National Security Consultant Dr. Carlos Reid and Assistant Chaplain Glen Miller for this special presentation to Commissioner Doan Cleare (Acting) at the opening. Mrs Ann Marie Davis, Spouse of the Prime Minister who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting, said it was a good initiative as most people do not think of something as essential as under clothing to give as a donation.

Also in attendance were Minister of National Security, Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of Social Services and Urban Renewal, Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical Vocational Training, and other senior officials.

“BDOCS is planting good seeds in the lives of its juvenile residents, a seed that will hopefully turn a new leaf and bear good fruit in the lives of juvenile offenders in the future. It is hoped that the opening of this new facility will optimistically give them renewed hope, purpose, and a new focus”, said Minister Munroe.

Minister Hanna-Martin also stated that she was relieved that juveniles would no longer have to interact with adult offenders.

The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas created the Rotary Road to Peace Program to address the problem of crime and violence in the country and to develop social-based strategies and proactive interventions to foster change and promote peace. They have also been working towards reducing crime and violence through other projects and partnerships. The PACT Urban Peace Program is one such collaboration. Working in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Renewal, the “PACT LifePlan Coaching Program” for youth in custody has been operating in Toronto, Canada, for 15 years. In New Providence, it is in its initial stages at the Willie Mae Pratt and Simpson Penn Co-Education Unit. More information on the Rotary Road to Peace Program is available on Facebook – Road to Peace Bahamas, and for PACT, www.pactprogram.ca.

The Ministry of National Security has overseen the newly renovated Juvenile Correctional Facility at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS), created for youth awaiting court proceedings and with the goal of rehabilitating youth offenders. The facility was given new beds and classroom desks, and visitors were told about the extracurricular, medical, and mental health programs and religious services available that will be offered to residents.
Previously, the dozen young men were at the BDOCS long-term facility with adult offenders. The Rotary Road to Peace Committee and the PACT Urban Peace Program donated 20 kits of tee shirts and undergarments that were purchased from local retailer Sandy’s for juvenile offenders.
Chairman of Road to Peace, Mike Russell and Rotarian Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, co-founder of the PACT program in The Bahamas, worked with Ministry of National Security Consultant Dr. Carlos Reid and Assistant Chaplain Glen Miller for this special presentation to Commissioner Doan Cleare (Acting) at the opening. Mrs Ann Marie Davis, Spouse of the Prime Minister who was on hand for the ribbon-cutting, said it was a good initiative as most people do not think of something as essential as under clothing to give as a donation.
Also in attendance were Minister of National Security, Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of Social Services and Urban Renewal, Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical Vocational Training, and other senior officials.
“BDOCS is planting good seeds in the lives of its juvenile residents, a seed that will hopefully turn a new leaf and bear good fruit in the lives of juvenile offenders in the future. It is hoped that the opening of this new facility will optimistically give them renewed hope, purpose, and a new focus”, said Minister Munroe.
Minister Hanna-Martin also stated that she was relieved that juveniles would no longer have to interact with adult offenders.
The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas created the Rotary Road to Peace Program to address the problem of crime and violence in the country and to develop social-based strategies and proactive interventions to foster change and promote peace. They have also been working towards reducing crime and violence through other projects and partnerships. The PACT Urban Peace Program is one such collaboration. Working in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Renewal, the “PACT LifePlan Coaching Program” for youth in custody has been operating in Toronto, Canada, for 15 years. In New Providence, it is in its initial stages at the Willie Mae Pratt and Simpson Penn Co-Education Unit. More information on the Rotary Road to Peace Program is available on Facebook – Road to Peace Bahamas, and for PACT, www.pactprogram.ca.
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