The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE government is seeking accreditation by the American Correctional Association in partnership with Global Corrections Services for the Remand Centre Facility at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

This monumental accreditation process will allow the institution to operate as a fully functional correctional facility based on international standards and practices.

Yesterday, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said the revitalisation of the correctional facility will ensure that residents of the facility are released in a manner that would reduce the likelihood of them reoffending.

In 2014, the institution was renamed Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and according to Mr Munroe it is the government’s aim to ensure the name change is a reflection of the institution.

“We have called it the Bahamas Department of Corrections since 2014, I believe,” Mr Munroe said yesterday at a press conference at The Ministry of National Security.

“Changing a name does not change the place. What we’re seeking to do by this intervention by the global service providers of the American Correctional Association is to measure how close we are to the standard.

“This is a needs assessment, but they will tell us how far on there to that standard and the steps that we need to take to hit that standard, and our commitment is to address shortcomings,” he added.

The minister explained that Global Corrections Services will oversee the assessment and accreditation process, which will serve as the “blueprint” for what is required of the government to be permitted accreditation.

A representative of Global Corrections Services said the company looks forward to partnering with the government on this journey, despite the difficulty. The representative referred to the “journey” as a mindset and culture change.

In addition to assisting The Bahamas achieve accreditation, the partnership to rehabilitate the BDOCS facility will also assist with the human rights of individuals and help the staff become more professional, according to the Global Corrections Services representative.

“It can help the staff to want to go to work every day, in a clean, healthy and safe environment,” said the representative. “It will help a resident to feel safe in a facility that they’re trying to change their lives around which we should help. That is part of an individual human rights that we have to respect”

The minister was unable to give an exact timeline on when the institution will be accredited following the initial assessment, as it would depend on the government’s ability to identify the deficiencies.

As the government seeks international accreditation, Mr Munroe underscored that humane living conditions and respects of prisons is of importance. He added that torture is not a form of punishment.

“If people expect prisoners to be tortured. That’s not a part of a punishment. We punish you by depriving you of your liberty, you will live in the conditions that we determine you will live in. The conditions that you live in, impact a number of things,” he said yesterday.