“Preach to your leaders that corrections is the solution to crime” – Bahamas prison head

…as Guyana’s prison director appointed secretary of Caribbean prison services

The Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot was on Friday appointed as the new Secretary of the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prisons Services (ACHCPS). The electoral process was held for all executive positions in the ACHCPS, at the conclusion of the 13th Annual Conference in Nassau, Bahamas.
After the election process, the following ACHCPS members were successful in being elected for the following office thus forming the new Executive Committee, President – Doan Cleare – Bahamas, Vice President -Mrs. Wynnie Testamark – US Virgin Islands, Secretary – Nicklon Elliot – Guyana, Treasurer – Keeva Joell- Benjamin – Bermuda, Assistant Treasurer – Carlos Carraspe – Trinidad & Tobago and Public Relations Officer -. Kerrice Saunders -Bernard – Anguilla.
Meanwhile, this year’s proceedings of the 13th Annual ACHCPS Conference was hosted by the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas.

Present at the event was commissioner Doan Cleare of The BDCS who extended a warm welcome to all of the prisons and corrections’ heads. He emphasised that the conference is a good initiative as it sets the stage for collaboration that will lead to positive transformation in prison and correctional facilities. He explained that the solution to crime is prevention and for those incarcerated, rehabilitation.
“The only solution is corrections, which is pivotal to rehabilitation. Therefore, when you return home, preach to your leaders that corrections is the solution to crime,” he passionately stated.
The commissioner during his remarks also applauded the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Munroe, KC, MP, for his support for corrections and an increase in funding for BDCS which is needed to advance the institution’s rehabilitative efforts. Further, Commissioner Cleare hinted that the Bahamas is open to hosting the 14th Annual ACHCPS Conference again in 2025.
Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Todd Christiansen spoke about the urgency of reducing recidivism and the need to create opportunities for offenders so that they are transformed upon release which he noted is important as it helps them to make better decisions and contribute to society.
Throughout the conference a wide spectrum of topics were presented about the roles and functions of prisons and correctional facilities, which is geared toward encouraging shared ideas and experiences on the best policies and practices that would contribute to further development and success within prisons and correctional facilities in the region. The primary focus of the conference was the enhancement of administration, management, operations, penal reform, the environment, offender treatment and programmes, re-entry, and other issues affecting prison and correctional facilities in the region. Some of the distinguished guests who attended the event included various corrections and prison heads from different member states throughout the Caribbean.
The three-day conference was held under the theme, “From Theory to Reality: Shaping the Future of Corrections and Prisons In The Caribbean.”