By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AS rain poured around him yesterday afternoon, Charles Murphy accepted the mantle as the new commissioner of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Eight people applied for the position during the lengthy, international and local search process but ultimately officials chose the person closest to home, National Security Minister Marvin Dames indicated.

“Today’s handing over ceremony is another milestone in the development of the institution,” he said. “The rehabilitation and preservation of inmates’ rights is a subject of particular importance to this administration and it is one of priority for our government. We have attached central importance to the advancement and development of a correctional framework that seeks to address the principles of human rights for the incarcerated and the provisions of rehabilitative strategies and programmes for the same. We are truly committed to supporting correctional reform in the Bahamas by adopting an holistic approach to implemented changes to the criminal justice and rehabilitative system, as a whole.

“Note that our government fully understands and has also embraced the many complexities involved in the rehabilitation of offenders as we seek not only to reduce recidivism but ensure that ex-offenders become law-abiding and productive citizens with the necessary educational and technical prerequisites upon release. Hence, since coming to office we began taking immediate steps to reform and transition the facility, while maintaining its success. Therefore, Commissioner Murphy you can expect our government’s full support as the Department of Corrections continues to evolve into a fully functioning correctional facility. This will entail the continued development of comprehensive strategies that will enable the corrections facility to adapt, adjust and overcome the changing dynamics of rehabilitative services for the country.”

Commissioner Murphy has been serving as acting commissioner of the department since his predecessor Patrick Wright retired.

When he spoke yesterday, he told correctional officers that no form of corruption will be tolerated during his leadership and all staff will be held to the highest ethical standards.

“‘The trust that the Bahamian people have reposed in us will not be betrayed without being challenged,” the new prison chief said. “Integrity is our watchword.”

Yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell said his party does not support Commissioner Murphy’s appointment.

“The appointee superseded two women who were in line for the job and from all accounts seemed qualified for the job,” he said. “There appears to have been partisan political motivations in making the appointment.”

However, Mr Dames dismissed the PLP’s concern yesterday as typical opposition politics.