NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE government will increase the retirement age of subordinate correctional officers from 50 to 55, according to a new bill.
National Security Minister Marvin Dames tabled the bill, the Correctional Services (Amendment) Bill 2020, in the House of Assembly yesterday.
He also gave notice that the Interception of Communications Act, passed in 2018, came into force on February 13 of this year.
In addition to raising retirement age, the correctional services amendment will also reduce the time in which a subordinate correctional officer could be re-engaged after reaching age 55 or completing 30 years of service. The time will be decreased from ten years to five years.
The bill further says: “The pension of every subordinate correctional officer who re-engages with the Department of Correctional Services shall be suspended during the period of re-engagement and reinstated upon the completion of his re-engagement.”
The president of the Correctional Staff Association declined comment on the matter last night.
Meanwhile, the Interception of Communications Act has broadened the communication services and networks from which law enforcement officers could intercept data while allowing them to obtain entry warrants from the Supreme Court to secretly enter institutions to set up interception devices. It forces people who work for postal or communications services, be they public or private networks, to assist in executing interception or entry warrants. It also empowers the minister of national security to allow authorised people to use a listening device for no more than 30 days. The attorney general, under the law, is also authorised to permit the use of a listening device.
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the Free National Movement were attacked for approving the law, dubbed by critics as the “Spy Bill”, this term after opposing it when in opposition.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 9 months ago
Regarding the spy bill mentioned above, this is what corrupt, feckless, incompetent, tyrannical dictators do who feel they cannot preserve their elected political office through normal democratic processes: They spy on their political opponents and anyone else who voices opposition to them!
bogart 4 years, 9 months ago
"The Attorney General under the law, is also authorosed to permit the use of a listening device."
How can the govt do this fully knowing AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELTY THEREAFTER days apart the present Attorney General done made statements on Toby Smith, refurbishing national sculptures with Bahamian national pride, Bahamian entrepreneur blueprints plans on development on eastern end Paradise Island carried in media days ago..some 40,000 Bahamian and foreign daily newspapers readers....media...daughter abroad also writing touching letter ...........you kidding govt now announcing what govt can do ....?
TalRussell 4 years, 9 months ago
Just like days back one two daily newspapers heralded a photograph of the Fox Hill Prison's Warden doing some kind congratulatory thing - whilst he posed with several the prison's also senior in advanced age uniformed officers. Was personal thought to me self at that particular time, my, how much the aged prison's Warden - could've easily been innocently mistaken by the newspaper's photographer - for being the last known serving kin of the biblical character comrade Moses. Can't just be writing this stuff.Just, can't. Amen!
birdiestrachan 4 years, 9 months ago
The master full liars opposed the bill while they were the opposition then approved it when they became the Government. HYPOCRITES indeed.
WE MARCH the Judas and doc them were all in it together.
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