NASSAU, The Bahamas – The implementation of the Electronic Monitoring System for The Bahamas is an important element in the Government’s strategy to halt and reverse crime trends in The Bahamas, Minister of National Security O.A. “Tommy” Turnquest said Friday.
Law enforcement and senior government officials joined Mr. Turnquest for the Contract Signing Ceremony for the Electronic Monitoring System for The Bahamas Friday at the Paul H. Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters. Contracts were signed between the Government, ICS/Security Concepts, Secure Alert and International Surveillance Services Corporation, ICS’ partners in the venture.
The ceremony officially launched the Electronic Monitoring System for The Bahamas.
Under the Agreement, ICS will, in the first instance, implement an Electronic Monitoring Project of three years duration. The Project will be centred on the island of New Providence.
The system is expected to move to Grand Bahama and the Family Islands following the initial operation.
The company will provide 24/7 monitoring services, specialised equipment and appropriate training for stakeholder agencies. Further advances in technology will be made available to The Bahamas through periodic upgrades of electronic monitoring equipment.
Mr. Turnquest said the system will allow the government to fulfil its objective for a practical and workable solution for the improvement of national responses to crime and criminality, including violent crimes such as murder and armed robbery.
“Specifically, our objectives include keeping a close watch on alleged violent offenders that have been granted bail where the courts decide that we should,” Mr. Turnquest said. “They also include offering an alternative to imprisonment to persons that have committed minor offences, also when determined by the courts.
“Additionally, our objectives include monitoring inmates on the Prison Work Release Schemes, and those that are performing community services,” Mr. Turnquest added.
The National Security Minister said the launch of the Electronic Monitoring System culminates an “orderly and detailed process” that began with the adoption of the Criminal Law Miscellaneous (Amendment) Act, on November 28, 2008.
The law, which he said was enacted following a “thorough airing” on the merits of the system, sets out the terms and conditions governing electronic monitoring.
“We then proceeded methodically with this initiative, opting to observe firsthand the practical application of electronic monitoring before beginning our own processes. We did so in Jamaica in January, 2009, which at the time was implementing a voluntary Electronic Monitoring Pilot Project.”
Mr. Turnquest said the delegation to Jamaica included himself, and senior officials of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Her Majesty’s Prison Service and the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development.
“The Government of The Bahamas will be working closely with ICS, Secure Alert and its partners over the course of the next few months to ensure that our policies, administrative procedures and protocols, are relevant for the effective management of the system in the medium and long-term,” Mr Turnquest added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
