BAHAMAS: Ministry of Social Services Announces Plans for Rehabilitation Week

#Bahamas, November 3, 2017 – Nassau – The week of November 6^th – 13^th, 2017 is Rehabilitation Week.   The Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development made the declaration at a press conference to officially announce activities planned by the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services to observe the week.

The activities include the following: a Juvenile Forum for high school students to address Bullying, Gang Violence and Sexual Health; a Parenting Workshop organized by the National Parenting Programme in conjunction with the Northeastern Pastors Alliance; and a Staff Motivational Seminar.   The theme for the week is, “Redefining Life through Rehabilitation.”

Minister Rolle, at the department’s University Drive offices, said: the activities aim to inform the public about the role the Department plays in providing services to the community as well as in the development of youth, particularly those who encounter problems with the law, who are in Correctional Institutions, and who seek professional help.

“Juveniles in Correctional Institutions share the same interests with all youths, and because they are separated from family, friends and neighborhood groupings, they have an increased need for informal relationships with others.   The Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services recognizes this need and is taking every corrective measure to ensure that proper interventions and programmes are in place to treat and rehabilitate, as we move towards empowering them for a better tomorrow.

“The rehabilitation process is considered to be complex, with a number of variables which are all directed towards behavior modification, behavior management and lifestyle changes of the ex-offender.   However, the most promising rehabilitation takes place in the home and community.  The home is where the child first receives from their parents the kind of love and nurturing that shape their lives forever.   I venture to say that the occurrence of violence in our school system is a direct result of a lack of or insufficient parenting in the home,” said Minister Rolle.

She opined that incarceration does little to break the cycle of crime or rehabilitate the offender, and once an offender is sentenced to incarceration for any offence, it is likely that he will return should he not receive the necessary intervention.

The role of the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development is not only to develop programs based on the ex-offender’s rehabilitative needs, but to also provide training and technical assistance that build community capacity, so they can develop and implement projects that make a difference in the lives of children, youths and community.

She pledged the Ministry’s commitment to transforming communities through the delivery of “effective” and “efficient” services to and on behalf of the Bahamian people.

By: Kathryn Campbell (BIS)

BIS Photos/Derek Smith

Photo captions:

Header photo:Representatives of the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services who are responsible for Rehabilitation Week are pictured.

Insert #1: The Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development announces plans for Rehabilitation Week.

Insert #2: The Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, at left, chats with Lillian Quant-Forbes, Acting Director.

Insert #3: The Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development (2nd left) is shown at the press conference to declare Rehabilitation Week.  Also pictured are Lillian Quant-Forbes, Acting Director (3rd left) and representatives of the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services including Quintin Gray (1st left) at the department on University Drive.