Dames says public has nothing to fear from inmates who were granted clemency

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday that residents have nothing to fear regarding the release of 147 inmates from the Department of Correctional Services.

Dames said one of the inmates was serving time for manslaughter.

The Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy recently approved the request of 147 applicants for clemency. Another six requests are pending additional reports, one person had their record expunged and 59 requests were deferred to the committee’s next meeting in January. 

“I don’t have the issue in front of me but we’ve had some persons who would’ve served most of their time, for example, for manslaughter, domestic-related matters,” Dames told The Nassau Guardian. 

“I think that one was a lady who may have been up for manslaughter – it was a domestic matter.

“So, we take a look at the offense. We take a look at the time served and whether those persons would’ve conducted themselves while serving time and taken advantage of all of the classes at the prison to prepare them for reintegration.” 

He said the committee is “very thorough” and “very experienced”.

The minister of national security chairs the committee; other members include the attorney general, permanent secretary and deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security; Ann Ferguson, Dr. David Allen, former Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson, Pastor Mario Moxey and Dorcas Williams.

According to the government, clemency petitions “allow for some measure of compassion” to be extended to persons who have been sentenced to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for criminal offenses and have demonstrated, through rehabilitation programs, the ability to be reintegrated into society.

To be eligible for clemency, inmates must be sentenced for a minimum of two years; should have served a minimum of six months of the sentence; must not be on remand or have charges pending; not have fewer than four months remaining on the sentence; successfully completed the sentence plan requirement; and should satisfy the Penal Code Amendment Act with respect to sentencing. 

Yesterday, Dames said the public has no reason to be concerned about the individuals who received clemency, being released.

“At some point they have to be,” he said.

“We’re all about second chances. As I said before, this is not releasing people out of a whim. This is taking everything into consideration. Most of these persons would’ve served out most of their sentences already.”

When asked if the individuals pose a threat to the public, Dames replied, “No.” 

He said clemency is based on “conditions”.

“Let’s say someone was up there for drugs and they have a few more months remaining or another year remaining and we decided to give them clemency, what we’re saying is, ‘Now, you have to enlist in one of those drug treatment centers’ and we will be getting regular reports on that person’s progress,” Dames said.

“We want, too, to connect with victims. A person may have served 20 years. They have another year or two to go and we’re getting an excellent report on that individual. We want to make certain too that the victims, if there are victims involved, are aware.

“We are looking into this very deeply, hence the reason we include the police, we include the prison, we include social services. That’s what it’s all about.” 

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