The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage officially opened the 9th conference of the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel yesterday morning.

Under the theme “Corrections in 2015 – “The Caribbean Perspective,” the conference will see attendance from 24 heads of correctional facilities from throughout the Caribbean, as well as from North America.

Addressing a room filled with law enforcement and corrections officials, Dr Nottage said yesterday: “It is critical for us, as the executive branch of government and for (you) as heads of correctional facilities to find ways to reduce recidivism.

“For policy makers, correctional facilities must be seen as more than facilities to house prisoners, but rather, as institutions for the reform of the detained persons.

“In this regard we must analyse the data held by our correctional and prison services. We have to examine and analyse the information available to us resulting from incarceration. This information gives a clear indication of crime trends, areas of challenges, resources and success.”

According to officials, conference speakers will include the Bahamas ambassador to the United Nations, Dr Elliston Rahming, commissioner of the Correctional Services of Canada (CSC), Don Head, and country representative from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Astrid Wynter.

Topics discussed will include “Restorative Justice: A Worthy Approach and Best Practices in Corrections” and the IDB as a “Regional Partner for More Effective Corrections in the Caribbean”.

Sessions are from 9am to 5pm daily until its conclusion on Wednesday afternoon.