AG: Balancing Justice & Rehabilitation
Attorney General and Justice Minister Michael Scott said he has spent the last hundred days attempting to strike an “appropriate balance” between administering Bermuda’s laws and enhancing rehabilitation programmes.
He highlighted the hiring of two new psychologists for the Bermuda prisons system, gang supervision training for the Department of Court Services and the island’s hosting of the first International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) North American & Caribbean Regional Conference as examples of the various activities his Ministry has been engaged in since Premier Cox came to office just over three months ago.
And he stressed the successful conviction rate of Crown prosecutors in recent months: “I underscore Supreme Court convictions in the last hundred days which include one financial crime conviction (The Queen v Andre Marvin Curtis); two convictions for unlawful shooting (The Queen v Alvone Maybury and The Queen v Omari Gordon); two convictions for attempted murder (The Queen v Anthony Swan and The Queen v Quincy Brangman); and the most recent murder conviction (The Queen v Jermaine Pearman),” he said.
Minister Scott’s full remarks follow below:
As Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, I am pleased to inform members of the public that our Ministry team has embraced the expanded mandate of Ministry of Justice to strike the appropriate balance between the fair and proper administration of justice and the implementation of effective rehabilitation measures aimed at assisting offenders to re-enter society as productive and positive citizens.
Thus, during this first 100 days, the Ministry policy team has undertaken an assessment and evaluation of all existing programs pertaining to the rehabilitation, monitoring and treatment of offenders with the aim of ensuring that they are properly aligned with a vision to effectively deliver the expanded Ministry of Justice mandate while at the same time representing value for money in addition to employment opportunities and professional development for qualified Bermudians.
The hiring of two new Psychologists, who will develop and deliver new programmes in our Corrections Facilities, has occurred during the 100 Days period, ever mindful of the dual role of incarceration as a tool of punishment but also as a vehicle to effect behaviour modification and the reform of offenders. Indeed the results of positive and transformational programs are evident as we note and applaud the Bronze Medal attained by two Trainees in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme with the support of the Corrections staff. New initiatives include entrepreneurial options for inmate populations.
In tabling the Parole Board Annual Report 2009 in the Legislature, which details the policies and processes implemented by the Board with respect to the release of inmates on parole, I have noted the amendments proposed by the Board and have taken the necessary action to ensure their development and implementation.
Gang Supervision training was delivered on January 24-26, to equip officers in the Department of Court Services with additional tools to effectively supervise and respond to gang members and affiliates in the community, as well as enhance operational policies and community collaboration. This initiative was aimed at promoting more systemic responses to this high–risk population and greater safety measures for officers in the field including members of the Bermuda Police Service who were also attendees.
The assessment of administrative operations underpinning the justice infrastructure, necessitated a review of Legal Aid Act 1980 and the business model of the Legal Aid Office and has resulted in the development of legislative initiatives and proposals to effect cost savings and increased operational efficiency.
Further, the recent establishment of a Contract and Lease Review Committee in the Attorney-General’s Chambers will provide a critical and detailed legal review of proposed Government leases and contracts.
The Department of Public Prosecutions has expanded its regional and international contacts by successfully hosting the first International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) North American and Caribbean Regional Conference entitled “International Challenges & Coordinated Solutions” in mid November 2010. The IAP is the only worldwide prosecutors association and has organizational members from more than 90 jurisdictions, as well as many other organizational and personal members.
I underscore Supreme Court convictions in the last 100 days which include one financial crime conviction (The Queen v Andre Marvin Curtis); two convictions for unlawful shooting (The Queen v Alvone Maybury and The Queen v Omari Gordon); two convictions for attempted murder (The Queen v Anthony Swan and The Queen v Quincy Brangman); and the most recent murder conviction (The Queen v Germaine Pearman).
The crime statistics lend an urgency to the prevention of recidivism, which the Ministry of Justice is proactively addressing by the continued provision of assessment, supervision, rehabilitation, prevention and restorative justice services in collaboration with community partners and in compliance with Bermuda’s Criminal Justice System, spearheaded by effective and creative leadership within the Ministry.
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