bahamiangoddess
06-11-08, - 10:17 AM
June 9th, 2008
Prison Report Details Population Makeup
By Macushla N. Pinder
A profile of the inmate population at Her Majesty’s Prison reveals that nearly 2,560 people were admitted to the Fox Hill facility last year, the majority of whom were on remand.
According to the prison’s 2007 annual report, 1,741 or 68 percent of the 2,556 people sent to the prison were on remand.
The remaining 815 people (32 percent) were sentenced.
Thirteen percent of those sentenced were sentenced for the first time. Nineteen percent were recidivists.
The majority of prison inmates are assessed within 24 hours of arrival, according to the report.
Upon completion of an inmates’ initial assessment – which may include but is not limited to their academic proficiency testing, special skills assessment, psychological screening and also ascertaining their vulnerabilities and weaknesses – an appropriate sentence plan is produced if the inmate is sentenced.
A breakdown of offenses and incarceration reveals that 122 inmates or 4.77 percent were admitted for murder or manslaughter.
In 2007, one of the inmates admitted for murder was sentenced while 89 of them were placed on remand.
Figures show that 113 people (4.42 percent) were sent to prison last year for armed robbery; 33 or 1.29 percent for rape and nine or 0.35 percent for unlawful sexual intercourse.
Six hundred and five inmates (23.67 percent) were imprisoned for possession of dangerous drugs and 1,048 (41 percent) for property crimes, including shop breaking, house breaking, burglary and stealing.
The prison’s 2007 annual report further indicates that 185 or 7.24 percent of the inmates were serving time for possession of firearm; 49 (1.92 percent) for breach of the Immigration Act and 392 (15.34 percent) for other offenses.
The prison report further reveals that of those admitted to the Fox Hill facility last year, seven (0.3 percent) were between the ages 12 to 14; 408 (15.96 percent) were 15 to 20 years old and 773 (30.24 percent) – the largest group – fell in the 21 to 29 age group.
So far this year, the majority of murder suspects escorted before a magistrate’s court have fallen in this category as well.
In the 30 to 40 age bracket, there were 633 (24.77 percent) admissions. Prison officials said 313 (12.25 percent) of the inmates admitted in 2007 were between the ages 41 to 50 while 83 (3.25 percent) fell in the 51 to 70 age group.
The majority of inmates – 2,379 – were Bahamian nationals, according to the report.
There were 62 Jamaicans, 50 Haitians, nine Americans, five Haitian-Bahamians and one African, British, Canadian, Dominican, Mexican and Puerto Rican each. Thirty-nine of the inmates were of "other" nationalities.
In 2007, the prison recorded a total staff size of 446.
Prison Superintendent Dr. Elliston Rahming said the prison made "significant strides" in its forward march from a punishment orientation toward a higher plateau of rehabilitation and reintegration.
"While it is true that a long road beckons us, we have turned the corner. Her Majesty’s Prison is living up to its mandate in almost every major area of concern – custody, order, care and opportunity (COCO)," Dr. Rahming said in the report.
He noted that challenges remain.
"Nevertheless, there is a genuine optimism about 2008 and its prospects for further change and greater progress," Dr. Rahming said.
"…Yes, the journey continues to humanize and uplift conditions of confinement and thereby improve conditions of employment."
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest is expected to reveal the government’s upcoming plans for Her Majesty’s Prison in his contribution to the 2008/2009 budget debate.
The debate continues in the House of Assembly today at 10am.
Prison Report Details Population Makeup
By Macushla N. Pinder
A profile of the inmate population at Her Majesty’s Prison reveals that nearly 2,560 people were admitted to the Fox Hill facility last year, the majority of whom were on remand.
According to the prison’s 2007 annual report, 1,741 or 68 percent of the 2,556 people sent to the prison were on remand.
The remaining 815 people (32 percent) were sentenced.
Thirteen percent of those sentenced were sentenced for the first time. Nineteen percent were recidivists.
The majority of prison inmates are assessed within 24 hours of arrival, according to the report.
Upon completion of an inmates’ initial assessment – which may include but is not limited to their academic proficiency testing, special skills assessment, psychological screening and also ascertaining their vulnerabilities and weaknesses – an appropriate sentence plan is produced if the inmate is sentenced.
A breakdown of offenses and incarceration reveals that 122 inmates or 4.77 percent were admitted for murder or manslaughter.
In 2007, one of the inmates admitted for murder was sentenced while 89 of them were placed on remand.
Figures show that 113 people (4.42 percent) were sent to prison last year for armed robbery; 33 or 1.29 percent for rape and nine or 0.35 percent for unlawful sexual intercourse.
Six hundred and five inmates (23.67 percent) were imprisoned for possession of dangerous drugs and 1,048 (41 percent) for property crimes, including shop breaking, house breaking, burglary and stealing.
The prison’s 2007 annual report further indicates that 185 or 7.24 percent of the inmates were serving time for possession of firearm; 49 (1.92 percent) for breach of the Immigration Act and 392 (15.34 percent) for other offenses.
The prison report further reveals that of those admitted to the Fox Hill facility last year, seven (0.3 percent) were between the ages 12 to 14; 408 (15.96 percent) were 15 to 20 years old and 773 (30.24 percent) – the largest group – fell in the 21 to 29 age group.
So far this year, the majority of murder suspects escorted before a magistrate’s court have fallen in this category as well.
In the 30 to 40 age bracket, there were 633 (24.77 percent) admissions. Prison officials said 313 (12.25 percent) of the inmates admitted in 2007 were between the ages 41 to 50 while 83 (3.25 percent) fell in the 51 to 70 age group.
The majority of inmates – 2,379 – were Bahamian nationals, according to the report.
There were 62 Jamaicans, 50 Haitians, nine Americans, five Haitian-Bahamians and one African, British, Canadian, Dominican, Mexican and Puerto Rican each. Thirty-nine of the inmates were of "other" nationalities.
In 2007, the prison recorded a total staff size of 446.
Prison Superintendent Dr. Elliston Rahming said the prison made "significant strides" in its forward march from a punishment orientation toward a higher plateau of rehabilitation and reintegration.
"While it is true that a long road beckons us, we have turned the corner. Her Majesty’s Prison is living up to its mandate in almost every major area of concern – custody, order, care and opportunity (COCO)," Dr. Rahming said in the report.
He noted that challenges remain.
"Nevertheless, there is a genuine optimism about 2008 and its prospects for further change and greater progress," Dr. Rahming said.
"…Yes, the journey continues to humanize and uplift conditions of confinement and thereby improve conditions of employment."
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest is expected to reveal the government’s upcoming plans for Her Majesty’s Prison in his contribution to the 2008/2009 budget debate.
The debate continues in the House of Assembly today at 10am.