NASSAU, The Bahamas — The expansion of the Intra-Mural Scheme Programme at Her Majesty’s Prisons, Fox Hill, should lead to prison self-sufficiency through the creation of industries that would not only generate income for inmates upon release, but also contribute to the Consolidated Fund.
“There is no real justification why the Central Government (Government of The Bahamas) should have to continually bear the full cost of incarceration for healthy, hearty, sentenced inmates,” Minister of National Security, Dr. Bernard J. Nottage said.
“Many prisons in North America are realising savings by the creation of a robust prison industries programme. I have therefore asked the Superintendent (of Prisons, Dr. Elliston Rahming) to propose one or two viable, pilot projects for which I may seek to access mobilisation funds to set the wheels in motion to make our prison more productive and more self-reliant,” Dr. Nottage added.
Dr. Nottage said “for years” the Prison has operated “within a box” but that “we must now think outside of the box.” Ideas such as expanding the Intra-Mural Scheme; re-establishing a “broad-scale farming” programme at the Prison, and consideration of allowing carefully selected, non-violent offenders to enrol at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, along the lines of the Extra Mural Work Release Programme, will help to encourage such thinking (outside of the box).
“With regard to BTVI, perhaps now is the time to consider allowing carefully selected, non-violent offenders to enrol at BTVI along the lines of our Extra Mural Work Release Programme which has proven to be quite a success over the years,” Dr. Nottage said.
“If selected inmates can go out to work at commercial establishments and return by 6 p.m., I see no reason why similar inmates may not receive day-release passes to attend a trade or technical school during the day and return to prison before night falls,” Dr. Nottage added.
Dr. Nottage applauded the efforts to re-establish broad-scale farming at the facility, but also suggested that officials look at other programmes with which BAIC can be of assistance. The National Security Minister offered to “assist wherever I can.”
“There are other programmes offered by BAIC that might also benefit the prison’s training initiative,” Dr. Nottage said. “These include straw craft production, shell jewellery manufacturing and handicraft skills training.”
Inmates were challenged not to leave prison the way they entered.
“Whether you need anger management skills, drug therapy, family reunification classes, life and entrepreneurial skills classes, technical-vocational or academic courses, it’s all here, free of charge.
“I challenge you not to leave prison worse off than when you came. Do not even leave the same way you came. Leave Her Majesty’s Prison with a new sense of patriotism, self-worth, a new sense of empowerment, a new feeling that you can make good choices and overcome obstacles,” Dr. Nottage added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
CAPTION: Minister of National Security, Dr. Bernard J. Nottage (third right) inspects some of handicraft work produced by inmates of Her Majesty’s Prisons. Dr. Nottage was at the Prison for the Inmate Certificate Giving Ceremony. Dr. Nottage called for the expansion of the facility’s Intra-Mural Scheme Programme, which he said would encourage self-sufficiency and the creation of industries within the institution. Pictured with Dr. Nottage (from left) are: Mrs. Anita Dillet, Educational Officer, Her Majesty’s Prisons and Prison Superintendent, Dr. Elliston Rahming. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
