The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Many of us have been following the letters to the editor and now the March 29th article in the Insight section of your paper in which a former inmate shared his first hand experience at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

As a God-fearing nation founded on Christian principles, many of us are indeed saddened and ashamed at the way that some of our people are being treated by those who are charged to help them. Matthew 25:40 tells us that the true test of our character as a people is not in how we treat the well appearing tourist or the wealthy investor.

Our true test is in how we treat those who are most in need; the prisoner, the outcast.

I and many others are deeply disturbed to read and have personal confirmation from officers and civilian staff working at the prison, the level of opposition and disrespect which Chaplin Apostle Leon Wallace has received from prison leadership.

This man has spent his entire life doing nothing but good in this country and around the world. Why are his efforts to help inmates now be the target of unfair and unmoving opposition?

It should be said that God’s Word is clear; touch not God’s anointed.

Apostle Wallace please know that your work at the prison is appreciated by the public and that you have the full support of your brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.

In closing I must ask all those who are a part of the Church to not sit on the sidelines this coming election season.

And even worse, do not allow yourselves to be caught up in the emotions and excitement of party politics.

Instead, please take out your mental notes and judge these candidates accordingly.

Let us look at their record and actions, not their words and promise now that it is election time.

If their record is one of corruption or broken promises; or ignoring the needs of those in need; or absenteeism and failing to lead, judge accordingly at the polls. Let your voices be heard at the polls.

Thousands of Bahamians have passed through our prison system and these people deserve the guidance and decent treatment that can go a long way in helping them to be better citizens.

We must not go into 2022 and beyond giving them the worst and expecting the best. I urge Believers to stand in support of those who are in need and stand in support of those who are doing their best to help those who deserve a second chance.

MICHELLE

Nassau,

March 31, 2021.