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The Bahamas Signs Charter of Commitment with Correctional Services Canada

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#Nassau, February 5, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames said, on February 4, 2019, that the Charter of Commitment signed that day between his Ministry and Correctional Services Canada represented the Government of The Bahamas’ “earnest efforts” in ensuring the complete transformation of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services from a penal institution to that of a correctional organization.

“Our presence here today also clearly demonstrates the Government of The Bahamas’ commitment and focus, on increased public safety,” Minister Dames said at the signing ceremony, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters.

Among those present for the event were his Acting Permanent Secretary Eugene Poitier, Acting Commissioner of The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) Charles Murphy and his Executive Team; Correctional Services Canada Commissioner Anne Kelly, and BDOCS Consultant and Retired Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services Canada Mike Ryan.

Minister Dames said that it was with the highest regard that he extended a public welcome to Commissioner Kelly, as her presence illustrated the continued friendship between the two nations.  He also pointed out that The Correctional Services Act 2014 that moved the prison service into a Department of Corrections was a milestone in building the department into a leader of treatment programmes to ensure that inmates, upon release from the system, had the necessary interventions to address their needs.

“Through the continued partnership between the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and Correctional Services Canada, which has been ongoing for a few years, we are on our way to seeing this transition realized,” Minister Dames said.  “Already, collaborative exchanges between CSC and BDOCS have resulted in the development of an automated system to ensure our application of resources in the treatment of inmates is effective and efficient, and the extensive training of case management staff for assessments of new inmates.”

Moving forward, Minister Dames said, a specific area of concentration will be the establishment of a parole system.  Training for Parole and Programme Officers began in the Fall of 2018, he noted.

“The Inter-American Development Bank through its Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) conducted a training seminar for representatives of all of branches of law enforcement stakeholders,” he pointed out.  “During the seminar the parole legislation as expressed in the 2016 Conditional Release of Offenders Bill was analyzed and recommendations for adjustments were made.

“CSJP is currently funding research on parole and recidivism through the University of the Bahamas.”

Minister Dames noted that, at the same time, significant strides were being made to refine the corrections model being used to drive the corrections process in BDOCS.

“CSJP continues to work to upgrade all of BDOCS’ technical, vocational and rehabilitative therapy services,” he said.  “Further collaboration between CSC and the Citizen Security and Justice Programme will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the parole system.”

Minister Dames said that with the Charter signing that day, his Ministry was highlighting what had been accomplished, and the work that lay ahead.

“We are ever mindful that the complete transition to a correctional facility can only be accomplished through respect of our Bahamian culture,” he said.  “I am pleased to report that Correctional Services Canada’s work with the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services ensures that this cooperative design meets this prerequisite.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank all stakeholders, specifically Commissioner Kelly, Consultant Mr. Ryan and Acting Commissioner Charles Murphy, the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and the Citizen Security and Justice facilitators for making this process a reality,” Minister Dames added.  “I look forward to implementation of our goals and our ongoing partnership.”

 

By Eric Rose

Release: BIS

Photo Caption: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames signs a Charter of Commitment between his Ministry and Correctional Services Canada (CSC), on February 4, 2019, at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters. Correctional Services Canada Commissioner Anne Kelly signed on behalf of CSC. Also present for the event were Acting Permanent Secretary Eugene Poitier, Acting Commissioner of The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) Charles Murphy and his Executive Team; and BDOCS Consultant and Retired Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services Canada Mike Ryan.

 

(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

 

 

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RTCIPF Observes World Down Syndrome Day

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On March 21st, 2024, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force joined the international, regional and local communities in observing World Down Syndrome Day. 

Officers showed their support by wearing brightly coloured and mismatched socks to raise awareness. 

The head of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Grantley Williams, Training Manager Mrs Odessa Forbes and Media Relations Officer Denyse Renne visited the SNAP Centre and interacted with the students.

In a message to the TCI community, the RTCIPF noted that stereotypes perpetuate stigma and hinder inclusion, preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. 

Instead, the RTCIPF calls for individuals to foster an environment of acceptance and support where everyone is valued for who they are. 

By breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with Down Syndrome are empowered to live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and, by extension, the TCI. 

As law enforcement officers, we must protect and serve all members of society, regardless of their abilities. 

Let’s work together to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights are upheld.

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CARICOM speaks out on Climate Change, looking to May meeting to amplify call for Climate Funding

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March 3, 2024

 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains on the frontlines of global climate crisis, an issue the Region has been aggressively advocating on for the past thirty years. Despite the many commitments and promises of international partners, the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing.

Heads of Government are concerned that while COP 28 was widely regarded as a historic event, with the completion of the first global stocktake (GST), on progress in achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, the outcomes of GST show that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise and the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of Parties will not keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Heads of Government also expressed concern to be heading to COP 29 where a New Finance Goal will be articulated to replace the 100bn goal, which has not yet been met, even as developing countries require trillions to deal with the escalating impacts of climate change. Developed country parties have not provided enough finance at scale, technology and capacity building support required to help developing countries tackle their pressing needs to build their resilience, especially in adapting to the adverse and increasingly catastrophic impacts of climate change. The clear absence of definitive timelines for action and quantitative commitments for scaling up of investments, and particularly adaptation finance emerging out of COP 28, cause great concern to our Region.

The Conference noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognized as the most vulnerable group of countries and a special case for sustainable development, have been facing strong push back against the recognition of their special circumstances especially in the context of climate finance. There is limited international support for special allocations for SIDS within financing arrangements and available climate finance from international and private sources is limited, expensive and too onerous to access.

In light of the preceding, Heads of Government called for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified and coordinated approach to ensure that the Region remains influential in the climate and development arena through engagements with key partners and advocacy groups.

They called for renewed focus by the Region to advocate for inclusion of forests, nature-based solutions and blue carbon into market mechanisms with the aim of articulating clear regional positions and strategies.

Heads of Government reiterated the call for improved readiness programmes, simplified approval procedures, a change to the criteria for determining access to low-cost finance, and for the adoption of programmatic approaches to address the bottlenecks in accessing finance.

The Region reiterates its support for the Bridgetown Initiative’s call to expand capital adequacy of international financial institutions.

Heads recognized that the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, 27 – 30 May 2024, will be an inflection point for many of these discussions to be articulated. As such, the Region remains committed to participating in the Conference at the highest level.

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South Caicos Development Plans shared with Washington-Misick led Administration

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On Monday, 12 February 2024, the Premier led a delegation to tour the island of South Caicos to view the ongoing public and private sector projects, involving the remodelling and rebranding of the airport terminals, historical districts, and the East Bay Hotel.

The tour of the various developments reinforced the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to boost the island’s activity and economy.

Photos courtesy of the TCI Office of the Premier

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