Commissioner Lamb on Prisons, Anger & More
In a telling anecdote, Commissioner of Prisons Lt. Col. Edward Lamb set out a key problem with Bermuda’s prison system.
As the guest Speaker at a church event, he was told by someone from the audience that he was running a soft regime at Westgate Correctional Facility and that he needed to use the ‘cat-o-nine-tails’ and other more rigourous punishments on prison inmates.
Some time later, the same person came up to him and asked if he remembered her. The Commissioner said that he did and recalled her suggestions that harsher punishments should be employed. She also recalled that episode and then went on to ask if he, as Commissioner, could do anything special and nice for her grandson who was now incarcerated.
This anecdote reinforced the Commissioner’s statement that the people of Bermuda did not now what they wanted from, or expected of, Bermuda’s national prison system.
Commissioner Lamb was making a submission to the Joint Select Committee investigating the rise in crimes of violence.
Other points made by Commissioner Lamb were that Bermudians, black Bermudian males in particular, had “very little sense of identity”, and that this was due to a general community failing. He said that young men are “angry because they have not been given the tools to survive in Bermuda”. He said that the whole Bermuda community was guilty of: “Planting pumpkins and then coming around at Cup Match expecting to find watermelons.”
He told the Joint Select Committee this morning [Nov 25] that this was a problem that was not confined to any one part of Bermuda’s community. It included all parts of the Bermuda community. He said that many young people were angry because no one had invested in them, and that as a result, young people were feeling marginalized.
The Commissioner went on to say that there had been consequences such as the fact that he no longer took his son to football games because of the general atmosphere of anti-social or unacceptable behavior. He offered that the whole community and parents were at fault and posed the question: “How does a four-year old learn profanity?”
Regarding solutions, he said that the Corrections Service was working with what it had and within the laws as they existed.
Answering questions about prison programs, he said that about twenty inmates had recently qualified for the GED diploma; that there were Anger Management programs; programs suited to Sex Offenders; and other ongoing programs.
He said that on entry, each new prisoner was examined and given a ‘case’ that had been put together by a person trained to do so. This ‘case’ was the basis on which that person was treated and determined what courses he would be offered or recommended to take. That following his case, a prisoner could help himself earn parole; and that he as Commissioner felt that his was a good ‘carrot’ to offer a newly incarcerated man.
When asked if Judges could make remedial training mandatory, the Commissioner said yes, but offered that he felt that this happened infrequently.
Answering questions about recidivism, the Commissioner said that he thought that recidivism in Bermuda was about 49% to 50% and that this was lower than in other jurisdictions.
Could we get a census of the percentage of bermudian males that have a criminal record; and, especially for violent crimes? I think that the people who deserve to be helped or sympathized with are those who first obey the law despite their misfortune. These criminals won’t jump off of a cliff because the laws of nature are impartial. If the justice sytem was impartial these criminals would not think of breaking the law, and if they did they can face the consequences, period. I don’t care what your situation is when you decide that it entitles you to destroy others. You break the law, you face the gavel PERIOD! Be an upright citizen and you get all the sympathy in the world from me! No excuses! There are orphans who have fared better than these punks! They are spoiled brats. They have food to eat, shelter, warm clothes, and a grand opportunity for education and advancement. They CHOOSE to be losers!
Lambe’s just trying to put a spin on it…gotta make it look like he’s doing something in his ivory tower while counting his pay cheque and his pumpkins!
His name is Lamb not Lambe. He is doing a lot for the community what are you talking about
SELF,SELF said, im doing a lot for the community.
I have an excellent proposal.Put Col.Burch in Prisons and put Col. Lamb where he belongs, ON THE DRILL SQUARE!
Question:
When Bermuda was in a proportionately worse financial state, did we have these problems to such a great degree?
When there was an “oppressive, elitist, racist” government (pre 1998) did we have these problems to such a great degree?
When Bermuda was openly segregated, did we have these problems to such a great degree?
Does this same Commissioner believe that even with all of the same love, Godliness, etc being shown to anyone does not guarantee no criminals.
Let us not lose sight that the world and its people have advanced so far ahead of the traditional values that we are so apt to preach about but so readily throw in people’s face but at the same time are actually modern individuals with modern actions and modern practices.
We talk like the “Olde Bermuda” but are so forgetful that we are actually the hip hop generation, the reggae influenced, Jah Rastafari – with no real allegiance to the faith (no offense meant) wannabes that we blame everyone but those who are really at fault.
We live in a faithless society that is so much more free thinking with no set standard even across the different faiths that we “follow” in which opinions rule and we then have the degradation of society as we know it.
idol worship – of oneself, of alcohol, drugs, sex of “acceptable sins”, of material gain……the root of some of our evils.
True love is the answer, not paper machete (sp.) love that is being professed. be true Commish.
“He said that young men are “angry because they have not been given the tools to survive in Bermuda”
That statement right there highlights the issue in Bermuda. People expect to be given things instead of having to work for them like the days of old.
The “tools” are there and available for anyone that decides they want to take them. Free education (all the way up to college level), numerous private and public scholarships and/or bursaries for those needing financial assistance to attain a better education. Then you have schemes like at Belco where you can become an apprentice and trained for whatever position you you want to pursue.
People need to start taking reposnibility for their own actions and stop relying and blaming others when you act up and get punished. They made the choice to drop out of school. They made the choice to refuse to work certain jobs. They choose to pick up the gun or sling on the street. And don’t tell me that it is hard to find jobs in Bermuda. That is true for right now but BDA hasn’t been in a recession for a decade.
As they you can lead a horse to water…
Amen Tired. Nobody deserves to be handed things that were not earned. Bermudaians need to swallow their pride and accept that if your education and skill level only qualify you to wash pots, then that it what you will do until you seek further education and training. I have respect for hard working individuals who contribute to society in a positive manner regardless of their job title. I do not have respect for those who whine and feel that the world owes them. A teacher of mine used to tell us “the choices are yours, the consequences are complusory”.
Wish there was a “like button” for that one! so true!
There are too many idiots in this world. To, “Truth is Killin me” What spin is Col Lamb putting on the sad state of affairs here? What ivory tower are you referring too? And do you think for one minute that Col Lambe couldn’t find a good paying job in another arena? Its foolish to assume otherwise. He doesn’t need this Government to earn a living. The Government needs more people like him who are inclined to make sacrifices and to speak the truth. We seldom appreciate good leaders in our midst. We are good at mudslinging and making mindless accusations.
@ Truth “He doesn’t need this Government to earn a living.” But has done a damn good job of making money in the positions that he has held from them. Col in the Regiment to Prison Commisioner. I’d like to see how many returnees he has has up there and what programmes where offered to them while incarcerated or are they just going up there for a holiday. That’s the sad state of affairs we have here. Church!
Eddie Lamb is not to blame. He was offered the position and he took it, the politicians are to blame, they put this individual in a position who knows absolutely nothing about running this type of facility, not to mention qualifications.
He is qualified get your facts right when relating statements about my Uncle. He was trained for eleven months and is currently undergoing more training; to keep the Bermuda prison system up to date with other developed nation. He is certified for the position and is doing an exemplary job unlike previous Prison Commissioners.
get yourself qualified and apply to become the next commish and hopefully improve the current rehab programs…(if they have any in place)
@truth is killing me- Col Lamb did well for himself outside of the Government as well. Government, and ultimately Bermuda are fortunate to have him. You never answered my questions. What spin is he putting on it? He laid out a sad state of affairs, how is that spin and how does it benefit him? What ivory tower are you referring too? Surely you are not blaming the current sad state of affairs snd the recitivism rate on him?
I think, truth is killing me means, Lamb sleeps in a Ebony Bed,but lives in a Ivory Tower. very true!