http://www.bahamasissues.com/images/ads/kingdom_view_small.jpg

Fox Hill Prison…Again

By Cedric Moss

Russian novelist and prisoner Fyodor Dostoevsky said, "the degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.” I agree with Dostoevsky and using our civilization yardstick, Fox Hill Prison, we must honestly conclude that we are a very, very uncivilized society. Yes, the conditions at Fox Hill Prison tell a truer story of our degree of civilization than the other cosmetic factors we use to try to convince ourselves otherwise.

Another Adjective

Approximately one year ago, I wrote an article in this column on Fox Hill Prison and lamented about the inhumane, uncivilized and disgraceful conditions under which inmates are incarcerated and prison officers work. While there have been some commendable improvements under the ministerial administration of The Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, the adjectives I used back then to describe the conditions at Fox Hill Prison are still applicable: inhumane, uncivilized and disgraceful. Today I add another: shameful. Yes, the conditions at Fox Hill prison are shameful…shameful for the inmates housed there (regardless of their crime or charge), the officers who work there and the general public who visit there (especially family members).

Indirect Punishment

On a recent occasion while visiting in the Maximum Security section of the prison, human waste was being taken out in large garbage bags (a daily routine), some of which leaked on the floor, a few feet away from where I was. The odor was so unbearable that a conscientious officer offered me a nose and mouth dust mask but I declined, since it was not being offered to others present. Instead, I elected to endure the stubborn stench that resisted generous applications of raw disinfectants poured on the floor. I reasoned that if inmates and officers could endure this daily punishment (some for more than 2 decades), I could endure it for one hour.

The tragedy about this is that far too many in our society, members of the government and opposition included, are indifferent about it. They see the conditions at Fox Hill Prison as normal and just punishment for inmates (even those not yet convicted of any crime). Sadly, in their aim to punish prison inmates, they also punish prison officers who have to work under such conditions. In my view, prison officers at Fox Hill Prison deserve “true hardship allowance pay” because of the indirect punishment they endure each day. This is especially true for those officers whose lot it is to work in the Maximum Security section.

Logical Questions

Normally when the topic of prison reform is raised, the first excuse offered is “we don’t have the money.” But is this true? Is this the real reason for Fox Hill Prison being what former Member of Parliament Norman Solomon rightly called “our Black Calcutta”? The answer to both questions is a resounding no! First of all, many reforms needed at Fox Hill prison require no money to be spent so why are they not implemented? To my mind, the refusal to make reforms that do not require money is proof that the “we don’t have the money” excuse is exactly that…an excuse, and a poor one at that.

How much money does it take to adopt the attitude that the men and women at Fox Hill Prison (regardless of their crime or charge) are human beings created in God’s image and likeness, and to begin treating them as such?

In addition to reforms that require no money, there are those that require little money. For example, how much does it cost to fix or replace the motor on the main gate at Fox Hill Prison? If it were not so serious, it would be laughable to watch prison officers walk up to an automatic gate and manually open and close it every time a vehicle arrives and departs. I have personally observed officers braving the pouring rain and sweltering heat to pull that heavy “automatic” gate that shouts its own message about the lack of resolve to better the conditions at Fox Hill Prison. That message is: “Look at how we treat prison officers so just imagine how we treat inmates!” Is it that we can’t do better or we refuse to do better?

The Greatest Tragedy

Perhaps the greatest tragedy about Fox Hill Prison is we have allowed its subnormal conditions to become normal for us. Having become medicated to its subnormality, lawyers and pastors visit there without alarm. Parliamentarians and politicians likewise generally show no concern. For them and us as a society, we see it as normal for 3 men to be crammed into a one man cell that simultaneously serves as a bedroom (with some sleeping on cardboard), a bathroom (with one shared “slop bucket”), a dining room and living room. I’ve been told that it is not unusual for one person to be eating his meal when nature calls his cell mate to use the “slop bucket” that has been already been used repeatedly and will not be emptied until the next day.

Can’t we do better than having our brothers and sisters treated worse than some of us treat our animals? While I would agree that some of the individuals being so treated have done much worse to the victims of their crimes, it is no justification for their sub-human treatment at Fox Hill Prison. If as a society we feel that such ill treatment is justified then, in my view, we are criminals of another kind.

So while our government globe trots to international events and forums and splurge tax dollars to impress ourselves and the rest of the world, Fox Hill Prison mocks us and reminds us of our true degree of civilization. And the longer we ignore it the more it mocks us.

Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.

I congratulate Cedric Moss for his meaningfull and forthright article regarding Fox Hill prison.

It is certainly time for The Bahamas to stop listening to the rhetoric and to get up and do something about fellow human beings suffering at the hands of the apathetic and small minded. To suggest that incarceration of any sort should be that of the likes of Fox Hill is barbaric and utterly inhumane.

There is a new charity established in The Bahamas this past few weeks that is immediately beginning to address the needs, not only of the inmates but also those of the officers who are scarred by having to work in such an environment.

RIPOP - Relief for Prisoners and Prison Officers in Our Prisons - is looking for help in any way shape or form and can be reached at this time simply by email at RIPOPBahamas@aol.com for more information. ITS TIME TO STAND UP AND SAY NO TO THIS BARBARIC TORTURE. The letter below was the first circular to go out this last week and if any one is interested in being added to our mailing list, please email us.

August 20th 2004
WE CAN NO LONGER JUSTIFY OUR FREEDOM IF WE CAN ALLOW OTHERS TO SUFFER WHEN ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN
From RIPOPBahamas@aol.com

Good Day To All:

This email is being sent to you to make you aware of a new charity that has been established within our wonderful community. The Bahamas is a nation of caring and loving people. No matter the religious affiliation, it is time to come together to address in any way we can, the serious situation regarding both the inmates and prison officers at her Majesty's Prison.

Relief for Prisoners and Prison Officers at the Prison - RIPOP - has been established to raise not only awareness, but also much needed items, money and help from within the community as well as Internationally to assist the very basic needs of the people forced to live within those surroundings on a daily basis.

The time has come for action and it is with this drive and continual efforts from this day forth, that we within the new charity will bring together people who can help by volunteering time, money, goods or even a book, to those less fortunate.

It is our goal to begin the provision of drinking water to all those within the Prison. A simple goal but one that has alluded to date. That among other things like reading materials, towels, shoes, toothpaste, proper writing tools, and other basic needs of a civil society will be provided to the prison at no charge. Additionally we aim to work out some form of program to address the immediate emergent utility needs. Those who need legal representation will be helped as soon as possible. Those in need of minimal bail for nonviolent crime, shall be looked in to. These and other things that are ignored on a daily basis must and will be addressed.

Officers shall be offered assistance in areas that need addressing simply by them having to work in such conditions. The very conditions that undoubtedly scar their soul for witnessing the terrible treatment that their fellow humans have to endure.

We are nonpolitically affiliated. We are not looking at usurping the position of elected officials. We are in the position to help those in need and our goal is to do just that.

If you are interested in volunteering, donating anything from money to books, from drinking water to ablutionary items such as soap and toothpaste, please contact me via email and someone will meet with you or provide you with the necessary information to do so.

There is a difference between punishment and inhumane treatment. Now is the time to do something about that.

Thank you again for your time:
May God Bless You All

David Bright
RIPOPBahamas@aol.com

Hear Hear!

It's about time we got serious about this issue. I support you on this one Cedric.

It's about time we got serious about this issue. I support you on this one Cedric.
I agree it is serious. I also support the Reverend on this issue. Every few years the storm blows up about the conditions at the Prison, them it calms down again and nothing is done. I think that this government is at least trying to do something but it takes money, lots and lots of money - money we would rather spend on our tourist product and other things.

The Fox Hill prison is a cancer in the body of this society. It has been rated the worst in the free world, maybe in the whole world! We are winning medals in the Olympic Games, which is good, but we will be judged not on how fast we can run but on how we treat our own at home. The inmates are our own. They may have transgressed our laws, them may need to be segregated from the rest of the population, but that are still our own! They are members of the human race and, despite their crimes, need to be treated as such.

The good Reverend quoted Fyodor Dostoevsky, "the degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons." This is so true. If you have seen the prison, what is our degree? On a scale of 1 to 10, I think it is a minus 5.

I think the time is now to start some kind of adjustments in the Fox Hill Prison. Nevertheless, I understand what Minister Pratt mentioned on air about the funds that need to be allocated.

As simple as maybe letting the prisoners out more for just oxygen come on. We are definitely all humans and we know just how we feel when we are in uncomfortable situations. Provide more educational training inside those prison gates.

The government should ensure that there is not so much idle time, and we all know what idle minds can do. Let them come out with a sense of a new beginning of life. And no I don't have any family members there. I am not joining any pitty party. Yes crime has been committed and lives have been lost.

if the government and people of the bahamas think for one second that the conditions at Her Majesty Prison is punishment for immates they better think again it,s punishment to the country enconomic and moral infostructure. And for a first time offender to be submitted to such conditions it,s a rude awakening to not want to return and live a life of crime.However convicted immates have to endure the harsh conditions this such not be considered as capitol punishment imprisonment such be the ultimate punishment. And seeing that we apart of the britian and the prison is name after Her Majesty of England i would think it such be of better conditions then again she is the Queen and some pride should be taken with Her name or not .

I think the time is now to start some kind of adjustments in the Fox Hill Prison. Nevertheless, I understand what Minister Pratt mentioned on air about the funds that need to be allocated.

As simple as maybe letting the prisoners out more for just oxygen come on. We are definitely all humans and we know just how we feel when we are in uncomfortable situations. Provide more educational training inside those prison gates.

The government should ensure that there is not so much idle time, and we all know what idle minds can do. Let them come out with a sense of a new beginning of life. And no I don't have any family members there. I am not joining any pitty party. Yes crime has been committed and lives have been lost.
I totally agree with you. but concerning beginning anew, it is almost impossible becuase of the hypocracy of our system. How can they start afresh- newly educated or not if they have a record that follows them to the work place. They already paid by doing time. Now they are punished again because companies are allowed to obtain criminal records and as a result rufusing to employ the rehabed. So what do we expect them to do. They can't get a job so they commit crime to survive.
Yes offenders should be punished but the problem comes with the reality that alot of the people in prison are guilty of nothing.
For example
A desent christian young man who had never drinked or smoked or even fornicated in his life had borrowed his mothers car to go to work on atlantis. After getting off from work he was heading over the bridge and saw some of his co workers who he worked with every day and also knew to be good young men. Being a good samaritan as jesus commanded he offered them a ride to the foot of the bridge. On this day Myself and a bus full of officers were having a spontaneous 'road block' at the foot of the bridge. Seeing a car full of young men we stopped the vehicle to search it. It just so happened that one of the young men in back seat of the car had a small amount of marajuana (enough for one joint) in his pocket. He took it out and put it under the seat in front of him. We found the dope under the seat, no one fessed up so everyone was arrested. including the desent young driver. He was sent to jial along with the others and now has a record. He can never get his good atlantis job again or any job he desires for that matter and can't go to the US.
Remember any of us is just an arrest way from spending time in fox hell
The government has the money to build the prison. they can even make the prisoners build it. cutting the cost to just material.
Instead of building a new stadium for $30mil ask the chinese to let us use a quarter of that money to improve the prison.
Cabinet ministers just got new cars again- but there is no money.
Just as in the story of the good samaritan the politician, the lawyer and the preist turned a blind eye. Its up to us- the common man- to make the difference.

Instead of building a new stadium for $30mil ask the chinese to let us use a quarter of that money to improve the prison.
Cabinet ministers just got new cars again- but there is no money.
Just as in the story of the good samaritan the politician, the lawyer and the preist turned a blind eye. Its up to us- the common man- to make the difference.

Lincoln, you are so right. The Chinese would really be indifferent about what was built with the $30 million. But tragically the decision to build an unnecessary national stadium instead of a necessary new prison speaks volumes about the competence and lack of a sense of priorities of those who lead us.

True prison reform is something that I and a growing group of Bahamians are demanding and the government...this one or another...will eventually heed the call.

Thanks to you and all the others who have offered support and you will be hearing of the initiative soon. I look forward to us working together for the common good.

And I QUOTE Jesus Christ,

Matthew 25:36

”I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”


There needs to be reform to Fox Hill . . . . Simple as that!

It does not take a FNM, PLP or Pastor to figure that out.

http://www.bahamasissues.com/images/ads/kingdom_view_small.jpg
Fox Hill Prison…Again
By Cedric Moss
Russian novelist and prisoner Fyodor Dostoevsky said, "the degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.” I agree with Dostoevsky and using our civilization yardstick, Fox Hill Prison, we must honestly conclude that we are a very, very uncivilized society. Yes, the conditions at Fox Hill Prison tell a truer story of our degree of civilization than the other cosmetic factors we use to try to convince ourselves otherwise.
Another Adjective
Approximately one year ago, I wrote an article in this column on Fox Hill Prison and lamented about the inhumane, uncivilized and disgraceful conditions under which inmates are incarcerated and prison officers work. While there have been some commendable improvements under the ministerial administration of The Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, the adjectives I used back then to describe the conditions at Fox Hill Prison are still applicable: inhumane, uncivilized and disgraceful. Today I add another: shameful. Yes, the conditions at Fox Hill prison are shameful…shameful for the inmates housed there (regardless of their crime or charge), the officers who work there and the general public who visit there (especially family members).
Indirect Punishment
On a recent occasion while visiting in the Maximum Security section of the prison, human waste was being taken out in large garbage bags (a daily routine), some of which leaked on the floor, a few feet away from where I was. The odor was so unbearable that a conscientious officer offered me a nose and mouth dust mask but I declined, since it was not being offered to others present. Instead, I elected to endure the stubborn stench that resisted generous applications of raw disinfectants poured on the floor. I reasoned that if inmates and officers could endure this daily punishment (some for more than 2 decades), I could endure it for one hour.
The tragedy about this is that far too many in our society, members of the government and opposition included, are indifferent about it. They see the conditions at Fox Hill Prison as normal and just punishment for inmates (even those not yet convicted of any crime). Sadly, in their aim to punish prison inmates, they also punish prison officers who have to work under such conditions. In my view, prison officers at Fox Hill Prison deserve “true hardship allowance pay” because of the indirect punishment they endure each day. This is especially true for those officers whose lot it is to work in the Maximum Security section.
Logical Questions
Normally when the topic of prison reform is raised, the first excuse offered is “we don’t have the money.” But is this true? Is this the real reason for Fox Hill Prison being what former Member of Parliament Norman Solomon rightly called “our Black Calcutta”? The answer to both questions is a resounding no! First of all, many reforms needed at Fox Hill prison require no money to be spent so why are they not implemented? To my mind, the refusal to make reforms that do not require money is proof that the “we don’t have the money” excuse is exactly that…an excuse, and a poor one at that.
How much money does it take to adopt the attitude that the men and women at Fox Hill Prison (regardless of their crime or charge) are human beings created in God’s image and likeness, and to begin treating them as such?
In addition to reforms that require no money, there are those that require little money. For example, how much does it cost to fix or replace the motor on the main gate at Fox Hill Prison? If it were not so serious, it would be laughable to watch prison officers walk up to an automatic gate and manually open and close it every time a vehicle arrives and departs. I have personally observed officers braving the pouring rain and sweltering heat to pull that heavy “automatic” gate that shouts its own message about the lack of resolve to better the conditions at Fox Hill Prison. That message is: “Look at how we treat prison officers so just imagine how we treat inmates!” Is it that we can’t do better or we refuse to do better?
The Greatest Tragedy
Perhaps the greatest tragedy about Fox Hill Prison is we have allowed its subnormal conditions to become normal for us. Having become medicated to its subnormality, lawyers and pastors visit there without alarm. Parliamentarians and politicians likewise generally show no concern. For them and us as a society, we see it as normal for 3 men to be crammed into a one man cell that simultaneously serves as a bedroom (with some sleeping on cardboard), a bathroom (with one shared “slop bucket”), a dining room and living room. I’ve been told that it is not unusual for one person to be eating his meal when nature calls his cell mate to use the “slop bucket” that has been already been used repeatedly and will not be emptied until the next day.
Can’t we do better than having our brothers and sisters treated worse than some of us treat our animals? While I would agree that some of the individuals being so treated have done much worse to the victims of their crimes, it is no justification for their sub-human treatment at Fox Hill Prison. If as a society we feel that such ill treatment is justified then, in my view, we are criminals of another kind.
So while our government globe trots to international events and forums and splurge tax dollars to impress ourselves and the rest of the world, Fox Hill Prison mocks us and reminds us of our true degree of civilization. And the longer we ignore it the more it mocks us.
Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.


Have we forgotten? Has there been any meaningful changes?

it so strange i just posted a thread talking about how the baggage handlers should be glad they dont have to endure the conditions of fox hill prison.

as yall know bahmaboy shows no love to prisoners. however, i just read several articles (included with in my thread) on the nassau guardian website and i have to say the conditions described are horrible and need to be fixed.

my main reason for thinking that prisnors should not have to drink their own bath water and sit around a slop bucket all day is becuase there are some people in there that are inncocent.

i am sorry but when i talk no love for prisnors i mean they should not have the luxery of tv's video games internet gym's etc. all they need is a clean cell and a expansive lirary where they could read all the books they want. drinking bath water, and not caring about their grievance ie assualts, medical needs take it too far.

p.s- what is takiing so long to get that place in order?

one of my cousins went to fox hill prison .. he told me exactly what goes on in there .. ive heard it from others in the past also, though his was more recent. It hasnt changed in years so I doubt it will anytime soon. If you see the conditions some of the prison officers live in, you would not be too surprised.

That said, it needs to change.

BTW, he said there were at least 10 other guys in his cell.
The main guy (who ever claimed to be the toughest) takes on the new guy, in other words breaks him in, beats him up, but my cousin is a physco and bigger than most others, so that guy lost that one. Also, yes they have a slop bucket to crap in, its supposed to be taken out once a day.

Also, Id personally kill myself before I was to goto Fox Hill Prison. And, though I dont talk about it much as it was many moons ago, Ive also been in Central Lockup for 2 days back in my teens, but it was simply for breaking up a fight (back in my partying days), however Ive seen those conditions and they arent exactly humane either.

it so strange i just posted a thread talking about how the baggage handlers should be glad they dont have to endure the conditions of fox hill prison.
...
p.s- what is takiing so long to get that place in order?



I saw your post and it prompted me to google and research a little and i saw that. :)

I think its taking so long because no one care about prisoners. People dont care about the conditions of fox hill until its them or one of their loved ones locked up in there. Not everyone in there is guilty....and even assuming they were (and they aint) not everyone is there is guilty of the types of heinous crimes we might think should subject people to such condition.

And any one of us could end up in there just like that.

People got to make noise......get the word out.

people in there get treat right if they have the money too! my cousin chirren pa had fine cognac for christmas! talk dat dumbo dr. ellison rahming!