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NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames wants more ex-offenders to apply to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee to get their criminal records expunged, saying “everyone deserves a second chance.”
His comments come after the Prerogative of Mercy Committee last week approved 147 requests for clemency and one for record expungement.
Yesterday Mr Dames highlighted the move as a part of the government’s efforts of improving the rehabilitative justice system.
“This has been something that our government had promised since coming into office that we’re going to take a very, very aggressive approach towards rehabilitation,” he told reporters ahead of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
Minister of National Security Marvin Dames speaks with members of the media ahead of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee has seen a recent uptick in requests for expungement of records.
Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Dames once again urged individuals with criminal records to apply for the initiative and take advantage of a “second chance”.
He noted that in the new year, the committee plans to launch an aggressive public education strategy so that Bahamians can be more informed about the opportunity.
“We ask everyone to apply, as much as possible,” he said.
Committee reports uptick in applications
NASSAU, BAHAMAS Nearly 150 inmates at the Department of Correctional Services have been granted clemency the largest group the Prerogative of Mercy Committee has ever considered.
The committee met yesterday and reviewed the requests for clemency of 205 individuals, and two for expungement of records.
“As a result, 147 were approved for clemency, six pending additional reports, one record expunged and 59 deferred to the next meeting in January 2021,” read a statement.
“The group comprised the largest that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee has ever considered.”
In an interview with
Eyewitness News yesterday, Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee Chairman Paul Farquharson said the push on social media in the last couple of weeks has resulted in an uptick in applications for record expungement.
(BIS Photo / Eric Rose)
Nassau, The Bahamas - Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames met with Chairman of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee and former Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson, on December 14, 2020, at his Ministry s Head Office, University Drive. Among those present from the Ministry included Deputy Permanent Secretary Lisa Adderley; Under Secretary Cheryl Darville; and Legal In-House Counsel Paul Jones. Minister Dames noted that the meeting was to get an update on the progress of the Committee, especially in terms of the processing of applications by young persons and first-time offenders. We are very excited about this Committee; hence the reason why our Government wanted to see this Committee flourish and come into being, Minister Dames said. The focus now is to ensure that Bahamians everywhere understand the objectives behind this Committee the purpose of the Committee especially those out there with police records.