The Tribune

BAHAMIANS were asked not to discriminate against ex-offenders, but rather give them a second chance at living a meaningful and productive life following incarceration.

Addressing the annual Church Service held to launch Rehabilitation Week, Minister of Social Services and Community Development, Melanie Griffin, said each sector of society has a role to play in the rehabilitation of persons who have committed offences against society.

“All of us at some time or another have made mistakes and needed an opportunity to correct those mistakes,” Mrs Griffin said. “Therefore as we celebrate Rehabilitation Week, let us remember that everyone deserves a second chance and that it is possible to change lives through rehabilitation.”

Mrs Griffin said the business community, government, the church and communities, all have a role to play in rehabilitation.

“We all acknowledge that the rate of criminal activity in our country, especially New Providence is unacceptable. We continue to be concerned about the number of murders and armed robberies in particular and the toll these take on the families of both victims and perpetrators. We are also concerned about the impact of criminal activity on our major industry given that visitors have also been victims of crime and understandably, persons will be very reluctant to visit a place where they feel their security is at risk,” Mrs Griffin said.

“At the same time, however, there is the need for the implementation of effective rehabilitation programmes as persons do make mistakes; they make unwise decisions or poor choices, hence rehabilitation will assist them in making life changes to reduce or eliminate the possibility of them re-offending in the future.

“In order for lasting change to take place, it will take a collective effort from all of us. With this in mind, we of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development, invite churches, business establishments and families of ex-offenders to change their mindsets and help us change lives through rehabilitation,” she said.

The Social Services Minister said the government will continue to play the leading role in crime prevention and rehabilitation through the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services/Department of Social Services, by continuing to offer counselling and support services to young persons, adults and their families.

“As it relates to ex-offenders, we invite churches to reach out and provide support with shelter and counselling. We also appeal to family members of ex-offenders to be supportive and encourage those relatives who have paid the consequences for their actions and are deserving of a second chance, to redeem themselves in society.

“We invite the business community not to discriminate against ex-offenders, but give them a second chance through opportunities for employment thereby allowing them to support themselves and their families,” Mrs Griffin said.

She said “every possible effort” should also be made to prevent persons from becoming involved in criminal activity.

“I acknowledge the efforts of government and non-governmental organisations in this regard and the need for greater collaboration to steer young persons, in particular, from becoming involved in criminal activity. I am sure that everyone is familiar with the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ hence every effort should be made to prevent persons from becoming involved in criminal activity,” Mrs Griffin said.

Rehabilitation Week runs November 11-16 and will include a number of activities including a Juvenile Forum that is scheduled for today at the Harry C Moore Library, College of the Bahamas, from 6-8pm. Sponsored by the Juvenile Unit of the Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services, the Forum is designed to assist parents in becoming more knowledgeable about juvenile crimes, causes and behaviours as well as the services available.

A Parenting Support Forum has also been scheduled for 6-8pm tomorrow at St Barnabas Church. The week concludes with a Health Fair at the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls on Saturday, from 10am-2pm.