Mr Turnquest’s critcism of judges seems valid as it is disclosed that 68 people charged with serious crimes were released on bail in 2010 and only 13 of them are being electronically monitored.
A few weeks ago, Minister ofr National Security, Tommy Turnquest, said that one of the reaspons crime is out of control in The Bahamas was because lenient judges are releasing dangerous criminals on bail.
The judiciary, most notably Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett, opposition party leaders and several pundits chastised Mr Turnequest for making such remarks.
It turns out that Mr Turnquest’s remarks may be more than valid.
Sixty-eight people were released on bail in 2010 after being charged with serious crimes. Of those 68, only 13 were being electronically monitored.
This information was dislcosed in the House of Assembly during debate on anti-crime legislation, whch includes a bill to restrict the circumstances under which persons accused of committing serious crimes get bail.
“Persons out on bail for serious offenses are of major concern,” Turnquest said.
“There are 42 persons who have been charged in 2010 with the serious crime of murder, armed robbery or rape who today are out on bail. Of that number, seven were placed on the electronic monitoring system.”
The electronic monitoring system was introduced last year. It requires those charged with serous crimes to wear an ankle bracelet that allows police to monitor their movements.
“Twenty-six persons charged with a serious offense of murder, armed robbery or rape in 2011 are out on bail today and six of them have been placed on the electronic monitoring system, the ankle bracelet,” Turnquest added.
“We are talking about persons charged with serious offenses [and] in under a year and a half and they are back on the streets.
“And you don’t want me to talk about it publicly. I’m not passing the blame. I’m just talking the facts. I didn’t let them out on bail. I put them in front of the courts,” Turnquest said refering to the criticism he received for implying that Bahamian judges may be too lenient.
Police admit that most of the people charged with serous crimes are out on bail for other serious crimes.
This has been mentioned by the police commissioner himself, who has also said that too many criminals charged with serious crimes are walking the streets.
“My comments did not relate to the entire judiciary,” Turnquest said in Parliament.
“Every month, I get a report from the prison of those persons who have been released. Yes, some people have been released because of time served and they’ve paid their fine. But when you start looking at those released on bail from the time they were charged and what they were charged [with], it would make your hair curl,” Turnquest told fellow parliamentarians.
