Prison Admissions Decrease -
By Candia Dames:
Nassau, Bahamas -

There was a 17 percent decrease in prison admissions during 2006, according to a new report released by Her Majesty’s Prison, which says the institution accommodated fewer inmates than in 2005.

The report says 630 first-time offenders and 290 recidivists were sentenced, providing a total of 920 sentenced inmates. Recidivism, according to the report, was reduced by 10 percent in 2006.

It also says that 67 people were incarcerated for murder or manslaughter; 143 for armed robbery; 59 for rape; and 708 for property crimes.

Thirteen percent of all persons incarcerated were sent to prison for violation of the Immigration Act.

Eighty-seven percent of inmates admitted in 2006 were under age 29.

Seven hundred and twenty-four of the 920 inmates sentenced were sentenced to a prison term of one year or less; 137 for one to two years; one to life and four were sentenced to death in 2006.

According to the report, there are 28 inmates convicted of murder at Her Majesty’s Prison. There are 57 inmates serving a life sentence.

There were 81 foreign nationals handed over to the Department of Immigration for deportation last year, the report says.

Of the total number of admissions in 2006, 96 percent were males and four percent were females. It costs $11,050 to support each inmate.

Prison Superintendent Dr. Ellison Rahming wrote to Minister of National Security Cynthia Pratt, "Despite the challenges, the evidence suggests that Her Majesty’s Prisons are resilient and steadfast."

Despite the highly publicized prison break in January 2006, Dr. Rahming noted that "a mere 0.25 percent" escape rate was recorded.

"We provided a deterrent to crime as reflected in the 17 percent reduction in admissions to Her Majesty’s Prisons, and upheld the law by significantly curtailing the abuse of powers bestowed upon us," Dr. Rahming wrote. "Put another way we sought diligently to practice fair and just corrections."

In 2006, the report says, there were six inmates who escaped lawful custody. All escapees were re-captured and returned to prison. However, during the prison break, an inmate, Neil Brown, was killed.

The report also provides "proof" that the prison is being reformed: It points to a no-idleness policy which is in full effect except for inmates confined to Maximum Security or the Remand Centre for security reasons.

The report also points to the fact that qualified female officers are now permitted to carry firearms thus peeling away a major indicator of gender bias; officers are now equipped with body armor; the policy against use of excessive force is being substantially adhered to; a cellular telephone ‘jammer’ has been installed to cut off transmission of signals from the compound thus in time, eliminating this form of contraband.

The report also says clutter in prison cells has been substantially reduced.

28th March 2007