H. M. PRISON: A VISIONARY’S PARADISE:
By E. W. I. Watkins -
Nassau, Bahamas:

In early 1951 on a Saturday morning, I accompanied Major Edward Sears and Mr. Bryon Pinder, the then Superintendent of Prisons on a tour of the area now occupied by H. M. Prison. The Prison, at that time, was located on the site now occupied by the new Conference Centre, the Command Centre, Canteen and Office Complex at Police Headquarters on East Street, in the rear of the old Customs shed that still stands on East St. The area where now stands the Prison Compound was at that time, one large area of trees and underbrush.

Some fifty-plus acres were purchased and a new Prison Complex was built. There were no buildings or habitation of any kind in the area. The Prison was built, and in 1953, all inmates at the old East St. compound were transferred to the new facility. In those days when a convicted murderer was sentenced, the presiding Judge, in handing down the automatic death sentence would use the words, "You will be taken to the ‘Nassau Prison’ where you shall be hung by the neck until you are dead," or words to that effect.

During early 1953, a local character had killed a man and was so sentenced to death. While on Death Row awaiting execution, he was, along with the rest of the Nassau Prison’s inhabitants, transferred to the Fox Hill entity. A young lawyer at the time, fresh out of Law School, took the character’s case and successfully argued hat the convict was sentenced to be hung in Nassau Prison and that no such place now existed, as the prison was in the Fox Hill area of New Providence. The Death Sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. The facility was built to accommodate 400 persons. Today, it is not bursting at the seams, but literally exploding at its core.

Over-crowding is a vexing problem; but it need not be so. Security is a serious problem, it really should not be. Corruption is not only a serious one, it is a frightening issue that no one seems to be addressing at all. The cost of running this facility is astronomical, when one takes into consideration the following: a) available labour; b) available skills and c) the varied avenues through which the above can be utilized. To give a few examples, i) The Prison produces the best blocks in the country and has been doing so for decades, but its perimeters are not adequately secured – Why?

ii) Inmates produce a goodly number of assorted artifacts, why is it that the Facility and the artisans not producing these items in sufficient quantities to be beneficial to themselves and the Institution? iii) Some of the best tailors and dressmakers in this country are long-term residents – Why are they not utilized productively to supply uniforms, table cloths, napkins and other items that are used in hotels and restaurants. iv) The best office furniture that one can expect to find anywhere can be produced at this institution – Why are we importing school and office furniture for schools and government offices in this country? v) Some of the best building craftsmen in this country – carpenters, masons, electricians and plumbers – are domiciled in this Facility, so why do we not have a modern penal institution with secured perimeters? The answers to all the aforementioned questions are simple. NO VISION, FORESIGHT or HINDSIGHT.

In 2002, one Paul Farqharson, our present Commissioner of Police, took command of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). Shortly after his taking command, I was invited to a function at the Senior Officers Mess. He (Farquharson) said to me, "Watkins, I would like to add another story to this building. I was told that you had something to do with its construction. Do you think that this present structure can support another floor?" "No, Sir," said I. There is no steel or poured columns in this building. In fact, I will not suggest that anyone should walk on the roof for fear of it collapsing." He thanked me; but said no more.

A year later I was attending the annual Independence Day Celebrations at the Police Headquarters, when I was shown a massive structure being erected on the site of the old "Mess" that had been demolished. I asked the Commissioner, who was going to pay for such a huge edifice. "This thing is all about SELF HELP, my Brother," he replied. "It may take some time, but by God’s grace, we will finish it.

Sometime at the beginning of this year, I was invited by my Grandson to his Passing-Out Exercise as a Police Constable, which was being held at the edifice that had risen on the site of the Old Officers’ Mess. The Commissioner told me that it was constructed at a cost of $6,000,000.00, all of which was raised by him and his men, labour was not part of the cost, as Police and Prison artisans did all the work. In fact, when this edifice was officially opened, one inmate, who gave exceptional service to the construction of this building had his fine of $3,000.00 paid for by funds donated by members of the RBPF, and was assured of lifelong employment on his release. This building, named the Conference Centre, is a living MONUMENT to the vision, foresight and perseverance of an individual (Paul Farquharson) who saw not only the need to do something substantial and permanent, but indeed, had the will and fortitude to do it.

H. M. Prisons has the capacity to construct and secure a modern penal facility that can meet modern-day requirements and become a sustainable and self-sufficient entity, instead of being a financial burden and a stigma on the social conscience of the nation. It is also said that, "where there is no vision, the people perish." In this case, it is the inmates of the Institution. VISION and FORESIGHT is all that is needed to get the job done.

29 May 2007