By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
POLITICAL activist Omar Archer yesterday announced plans to lobby for international support over his alleged firsthand experience of inhumane conditions at Her Majesty’s Prison.
The former PLP member and one time chairman of the Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) criticised the government for its lack of rehabilitative programmes and health risks imposed on prisoners, whom he feels have no hope of reform.
The post read: “My question is, if the Government allocates tens of millions for prison rehabilitative services; where, on what and how is this money being spent? From what I literally saw firsthand, nothing is being done... This and for the lack thereof has over the years given birth to one of the highest recidivism rates, within the region.
It continued: “They are doing nothing to help change the mindset of so many troubled Bahamian men. Many of them would do so much better if just given a fair opportunity via a disciplined prison reform programme.”
As is now for most, prison is a dead end.”
Archer spent two weeks in jail before he was able to post the $15,000 bond set by Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell in his libel and death threat case.
In a message published on the internet website Facebook, Archer recounted his experience in prison block B, known as “the dirty south”.
According to Archer, up to four inmates can reside in 6ft wide and 10ft high cells with no plumbing or proper ventilation.
The post read: “Walls are covered with blood stains and toilet paper burnt stains and there are makeshift clothes lines throughout each cell. There are two 5 gallon buckets, one to defecate in and another to bathe in.”
“There is no lighting within any cell. Each cell is totally, pitch black all day. Ventilation is extremely poor, and poses a very serious health risk. Huge, loud fans churn nonstop in the hallway, but do nothing against the unforgiving heat. Inmates endure days of intense pouring sweat.”
It continued: “The cell doors consist of solid 2 inches steel bars running both vertically and horizontally, creating 8 inches by 3 inches of solid steel rectangles. In addition to this, the cell door is covered with a security screen.
Inmates communicate by using empty cans on walls and letters in plastic bottles called cars. Rusted unclosed pipe holes between cells are rare benefits.
Thousands of Bahamians are considering a vote of no confidence in the government, according to Archer, who said that no citizen should be subjected to “living in dungeons.”
Referring to recent statements made by state minister of National Security Keith Bell over criminal deportation of Bahamians, Archer charged that the Progressive Liberal Party does not have a platform to address crime and lacked the “political will” to address recidivism and other crime issues.
Archer will return to Magistrate’s Court on June 3 to stand trial in connection with libel and a death threat against National Security State Minister Keith Bell.
In addition to reporting restrictions, Magistrate Bethell warned the former PLP member that any reports of publications or threats could revoke his bail.
Yesterday, Archer said he is in talks with legal counsel to have the case transferred to another court.
The post read: “I can only imagine the horrors within the other sections of this prison. I can vividly remember the former Supt. Dr. Elliston Rahming denying the existence of an F block here at HMP – newsflash. It exists! Inmates throw urine and faeces on Prison Guards and also wipe their bodies all over with their faeces.”
Last month, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said that operational challenges at HMP, including overcrowding, were due to inadequate physical infrastructure and financial constraints.
Speaking at a ceremony to appoint a new superintendent, Dr Nottage also pointed to a need to build human resource capital and the professional development of existing staff.
He said the government was “moving ahead” with plans to replace the maximum security prison’s roof.
Dr Nottage did not respond to calls made to him yesterday.
Calls to officials at Her Majesty’s Prison also were not returned up to press time.
Comments
Fedup 11 years, 5 months ago
OMAR.... it's a prison NOT a hotel or vacation spot. Do the crime suffer the consequences.
Ironvelvet 11 years, 5 months ago
I have to agree with Mr. Archer. I have long time been screaming for prison reform. No one is suggesting that we turn the prison into a vacation spot, but there has to be something said about the calibur of conditions and their influence on whatever rehabilitation we can hope impacts that prisoner.
Prisons should at the very minimum have a bed, proper toilet and showering facilities, and appropriate food and water. AND also have appropriate psychiatric rehabilitation. There should be adequate numbers of psychiatrists/psychologists that do nothing but work in the prison population. There is nothing that eases these men back into society and to be frank many of them can't read and write. What do we expect these prisoners to do when they are illiterate, have no personal resources, no supporting families and friends that encourage them to do better, or anyone to help them get on the right track.
I personally am more afraid of a criminal that has been released from Her Majesty's Prison than one who is about to go in. That person has been bred to now be a true animal with no rules but to survive. These people sleep on concrete floors like sardines lined in a can (5-6 big men in a cell made for 3 people. Imagine the excrement that they must be in contact with daily, the smell, the disease, that's enough to even further harden the worst criminal you can imagine.
You want these criminals to do better when they get out, we must put the work into them as soon as they arrive at the prison, otherwise crime will only get worse my friends. Yes, they should be punished, but punishment and torture are two very different things, and currently the conditions at HMP are bordering on torture.
moncurcool 11 years, 5 months ago
Martin Luther King once said "what affects one directly, affects everybody else indirectly." In other words, if you believe that it is okay to have the deplorable conditions at the prison and that those people should suffer because of what they have done and that it will never affect you, then you need to stop being delusional and think again.
If they are treated like dogs in prison, how do you think they will react when and respond to society when released. We must fix this situation immediately. While prison is not a vacation spot, it ought to work to reform it residents.
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 5 months ago
Agreed. So true so true. We can't build a plastic bubble and pretend they don't exist.
There are so many problems in this country today and it really will take good governance to tackle them head on, in priority order.
Now what's this about vote of no confidence? I was pretty sure that could only be done by the elected members of the house. But if God grants his grace and mercy perhaps we will not have to suffer another year of this bumbling...there is simply too much at stake
john33xyz 11 years, 5 months ago
The churches and church-goers love the conditions at HMP. It makes them feel that much more holy than those "poor souls" at the prison. God have mercy on them (because the church-goers are too busy playing dress-up and confirming their salvation to be bothered).
Oh, but let a gay-cruise show up in the harbour and they'll spring into action right away.
retsof18 11 years, 5 months ago
But who can change them here on earth, or will there be a great vision from God for Man in his manifestation! These supposing activist are too weak, they rely on outside problems to manifested Bahamian problems! Visualise! Peace.
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 5 months ago
The only thing that can change the hardened criminal is God. For those who don't believe in God, well ...God.
For the rest of us who say we see a problem, me included, the change begins in us. Simple do unto others principle...its easy to repeat but do we practice it? Noone knows the twists and turns of life, I would not want my brother to be incarcerated under these conditions. I would certainly not want to be! I bet Omar never dreamed he would end up in prison. Do unto others does not start with "look what he do to me first", as I am tired of hearing from both sides. They need to be punished, but not dehumanized.
On a broader application, lets say I were the Minister of Housing, I would not want the food store cashier to add $100 to my bill, I would not want the mechanic to charge me $50 extra for a service, I would not want the waiter to change my bill to 30% gratuity instead of the expected 15%. So if I practiced this principle, I would not ask anyone to say..., give me $5000 for every house I approved. This is just an example, each of us can apply the principle in some way to our lives,
What are you doing to other people that you would not want someone to do to you?
Change
USAhelp 11 years, 5 months ago
It is a prison but lets remember more thugs on the street thdn in prison.
retsof18 11 years, 5 months ago
Its called retribution no one told these less off animals to terrorise innocent decent people of morals in this Bahamas society. You are talking crap about air condition! Let them terrorise you & your family for one week lets see how your tongue gets twisted! You have never feel the brunt!
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