The Tribune

THE government expects legislation establishing a parole system to be passed by the end of the year as senior National Security and corrections officials seek international technical assistance to prepare for its implementation.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Bridget Hepburn, Commissioner of Corrections Doan Cleare and a team from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services are attending the third annual Caribbean Association of Probation and Parole Conference in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to the ministry, it is the first time it has attended the conference, with the government viewing participation as important as it prepares for the anticipated passage of the Conditional Release of Offenders Bill, which would introduce parole.

The conference is being held under the theme, “Leveraging Probation, Parole and Rehabilitation as Effective Crime-Reduction Strategies in the Caribbean.”

During the conference, Ms Hepburn, Commissioner Cleare and Assistant Commissioner Rolean Forbes met Leo Tigges, a senior expert with EL PACCTO 2.0, and project officer Cassandra van Diemen to discuss technical assistance for The Bahamas’ transition to a parole system.

The ministry said assistance being sought includes training and skills development for officers as well as modern software to support the proposed system.

EL PACCTO 2.0 is an EU-funded programme aimed at strengthening cooperation between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean in justice and security.

The ministry said discussions with representatives of the programme will continue in the coming weeks.

The conference comes as the government advances preparations for the Conditional Release of Offenders Bill, which the ministry said is anticipated to be passed before the end of 2026.