The Tribune

THE government is moving to amend the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to allow for the creation of a ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee.’

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security Senator Keith Bell said the committee will be responsible for hearing the applications of young, and first time offenders, for the removal of criminal records after a prescribed minimum period.

This will also include the successful completion of a rehabilitation course and would come after the committee is satisfied that the applicant has been rehabilitated.

“This programme will give deserving ex-offenders an accelerated path towards fully integrating into society,” said Mr Bell.

“This is indeed progressive and must be the starting point to facilitate effective re-entry programmes as such records affect a significant sector of our society.”

Addressing the opening session of the National L.E.A.D. Institute’s Project Re-Entry Bahamas Conference which opened yesterday at the Paul H. Farquharson Conference Centre, Mr Bell said amending the Act was a critical part of the government’s commitment to give every Bahamian an opportunity to succeed.

Senator Bell said under the present laws, ex-offenders find it difficult to find meaningful employment, travel, pursue opportunities for educational advancement and/or engage in many necessary and productive activities.

“This issue is particularly harsh on young and one-time offenders (as) under the current law, a person convicted of a criminal offence is effectively excluded from many basic activities for a minimum of seven years,” Mr Bell said.

“This period is maintained regardless of the facts of the case, or the sentence given to the ex-offender.

“The government is unquestionably fully aware of the need to not only bring about awareness to effective re-entry programmes, but we are also firmly committed to bring about positive and meaningful change,” Mr Bell added.

Senator Bell said the Christie Administration initially passed the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act in 1991 and that the Act proved to be successful.

“Although effective and progressive, this Act now needs to be further amended to assist young and first time offenders,” he said.

Mr Bell said an amendment to the Act was one of several initiatives the government has, or will, put in place, to accommodate the process.