Tucker Calls For Mandatory School Notification
[Updated] The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education should “jointly establish a mandatory notification protocol requiring that all schools be directly informed, in writing, whenever a convicted sex offender — particularly one whose offence involved a minor — is being released into the community,” OBA MP Robin Tucker said.
Ms Tucker said, “The One Bermuda Alliance acknowledges the release of convicted sex offender Kevin Leon Goater on June 25, 2026, and notes that this release comes despite the six year sentence he received in May 2024 for the unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.
“The Ministry of Justice confirmed that prior to Mr Goater’s release, the victim was notified and a public notice issued, but also stated that no separate notification to schools was required — this a procedural gap that raises serious concerns about how information of this nature is shared with institutions responsible for children’s safety.
“Schools carry a unique responsibility for the wellbeing of young people, and public notices are not a substitute for direct communication with those entrusted with safeguarding minors.
“To help close the procedural gap it is suggested that the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education jointly establish a mandatory notification protocol requiring that all schools be directly informed, in writing, whenever a convicted sex offender — particularly one whose offence involved a minor — is being released into the community.
“We share the views of Executive Director of SCARS, Ms Debi Ray Rivers, in seeking clear answers regarding the reasons for Mr. Goater’s early release from Westgate, his assessed risk level to the public, and the safeguards that are in place to prevent any access and future risk to minors.”
Update 5.38pm: Today, on the matter of the release from incarceration of Kevin L Goater last week, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Sen Kim Wilkerson stated: “I understand the public concern that follows the release of any convicted sex offender, particularly where the offence involved a child.
“These are serious matters, and the protection of children and the wider community remains central to the way these cases are managed.
“However, a mandatory public notification in every case, or a mandatory written notification to every school in every case, is not something that can be applied across the board without careful consideration.
“The law and the Government’s established protocol require a balance between the offender’s lawful ability to reintegrate into the community and the level of risk that the offender is assessed to pose.
“The Government’s Sex Offender Fact Sheet, which has been publicly available for some time, makes clear that public notification is for the highest risk offenders, where the Minister, having considered all relevant information, makes that determination.
“It also makes clear that sex offenders are subject to monitoring, assessment and supervision through the relevant agencies, including registration on conviction.
“In this case, the law was followed in relation to the inmate’s release, and the law was followed in relation to the issuing of a public notification.
“The public notice was the required notification. It was publicly available, including to schools and other institutions. There is no separate legal requirement for the Attorney-General to issue a specific notification directly to schools.
“It is also important to correct the suggestion that Mr Goater was released unlawfully or outside the normal legal process. He was not released early in the sense of being released outside the law.
“He had served the required portion of his sentence and was eligible to apply for parole. As with any offender who meets the legal criteria, the matter was considered by the Parole Board.
“The Parole Board makes its decision based on the assessments before it, including the inmate’s conduct, rehabilitation, risk and the safeguards required upon release. That process was followed, independent of the Ministry.
“I am unable to comment on the specifics of any individual’s risk assessment or release conditions, which are confidential under the law. That confidentiality protects the integrity of the assessment process and applies in every case.”
“The Ministry is confident that the appropriate legal steps were taken in this case. We also recognise the strength of public feeling on these matters, and where there are constructive recommendations about improving communication, the Ministry is prepared to consider them.
“However, any change must be lawful, proportionate and based on assessed risk, not a blanket approach that may undermine the careful management framework already in place.”
