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Bahamas Minister of National Security Pursues Evidence-Based Strategies for Correction from UB/IDB Symposium on Prisoners

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#Bahamas, October 7, 2017 – Nassau – Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames told participants at ‘Our Prisoners: A Symposium’ on October 4, 2017, that he believed that the information disseminated at the event would “go a long way in providing good and holistic analysis about offenders, their criminogenic (‘causing or likely to cause criminal behavior’) needs” and the underlying challenges within The Bahamas’ correctional system.

“As I have indicated in my communication on crime (in the House of Assembly) a few weeks ago, my Ministry has reached out to researchers at the University of The Bahamas to explore ways in which your institution can assist in finding more evidence-based strategies to combat crime,” Minister Dames said at the event held at the University of The Bahamas (UB) Performing Arts Centre and facilitated by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in conjunction with UB.

“Furthermore, I am moved by the willingness of your institution to assist with evaluating anti-crime programs to determine what impact they are having on crime and public safety indicators,” he added.

Minister Dames said that the emphasis of the discussion that day focused on the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and the need to facilitate alternatives to imprisonment and conditional release for non-violent offenders.   He noted that, over the past four years, the correctional services had been transitioning from a “punitive base to corrections.”

“During this process, the enactment of new legislation to govern the service and changing the name of the institution was achieved,” Minister Dames pointed out.   “However, the process fell short of establishing a clear correctional strategy, that will benefit staff and offenders.”

Minister Dames stated that, at that time, The Bahamas ranked third in the region in incarceration rates – 439 per 100,000 in 2016.

“This rate reflects the challenges of crime, punishment and recidivism that exist within the Criminal Justice System in The Bahamas,” he said.

In 2016, he added, Inmate Admissions at the correctional facility were 2,528, with male offenders continuing to remain the larger gender group admitted into the institution, exceeding female offenders by 93% in total inmate admissions.

“Particularly, young males between the ages of 18–25 [who] represent the largest age group at 41%,” Minister Dames said.   “These trends suggest that we must engage dialogue relative to Corrections, alternatives to incarceration and their role in the Criminal Justice System of The Bahamas.

“We must define exactly what should be accomplished while offenders are incarcerated.   At this point we need to understand what works and whether punishment, rehabilitation and reintegration are impactful within our system.”    Minister Dames said that, within that context, the correctional institution faces a myriad of challenges and the need for clear evidence-based practices must now be considered.

“Evidence-based practices, as a part of the criminal justice system in The Bahamas, can mean revolutionizing the Correctional Services and developing much-needed community supervision programs for offenders,” he pointed out.   “Moreover, these objectives can only be ascertained through making organizational decisions and directing policy-making initiatives based on measurement, research and evaluation.”

Minister Dames said that a very important step of our government’s crime focus is the rehabilitation and re-integration of offenders.

“Noting that current incarceration and recidivism rates are at unacceptable levels, we understand that recently-released inmates – who are typically males in the prime of their lives – seem to have very few viable options to be successfully rehabilitated and re-integrated into society,” he said.   “As a result, Government will be enacting legislation shortly to address the conditional release of offenders into society through a Parole and Probation System for first time non-violent offenders.

“The new process of parole will address rehabilitation, reintegration, re-offending/recidivism and reduce the costs associated with incarceration.”

Minister Dames said the goals of the initiative will also include the following: assisting ex-offenders in functioning in the community without becoming involved in further criminal activity; providing supervision or monitoring; and providing support to inmates enabling them to be reintegrated in the community through a productive and crime free lifestyle.

Minister Dames commended the “committed support” of the IDB, which had demonstrated its assistance by providing funding and other pertinent resources to the project, and looked forward to initiating further collaborative efforts.

“I also commend the faculty and support staff of University of The Bahamas that have committed long, sacrificial hours in the work that will be presented today,” Minister Dames said.   We anticipate information revealed in this study will be useful in modernizing and strengthening correctional outcomes for the 21st century.”

Minister Dames gave the full assurances of the government that his Ministry is a willing and committed partner and they were confident that underpinning the discussions at that dissemination exercise was the resolve to formulate data that will “chart the course of response to findings about offenders incarcerated in The Bahamas.”

Press Release: BIS

Photo caption:  Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames speaks, on October 4, 2017, at ‘Our Prisoners: A Symposium’, an event held in the University of The Bahamas (UB) Performing Arts Centre and facilitated by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in conjunction with UB.

(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

 

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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