NASSAU, Bahamas, January 24, 2024 – Speaking in the House of Assembly today, Prime Minister Philip E. Davis announced what he described as a “no-nonsense amendment” to the Bail Act, forewarning lawbreakers that if they “commit a crime on bail, your bail will be immediately revoked.”
“This amendment removes the option for magistrates to impose fines for bail condition breaches,” the Prime Minister explained in a post on his Facebook page.
“Instead, it mandates more stringent legal repercussions, signalling a significant shift in our approach to bail law,” the Prime Minister posted. “Our message is simple: Break the law on bail, and your bail is gone. No more fines as slaps on the wrist. This is about protecting our community, with no exceptions.
In an article written by Krystel Brown, The Nassau Guardian quoted the Prime Minister s saying in the House, “Bail is a constitutional right, but not a right to be abused. There is a fundamental right to be presumed innocent, but the liberty that accompanies that presumption is not absolute, especially when someone poses a danger to society and to themselves.”
The Prime Minister added, “Our amendment will ensure that bail is automatically revoked to those accused persons who commit offenses while on bail. This includes those found to be in violation of the conditions of their bail, which is an offense under the amendment.”
Multiple people on bail for serious crimes have either been murdered or have been accused of committing other serious crimes.
So far this year, 17 people have been murdered.
Last week, the government released a five-pillar plan to fight crime, which includes measures like legislation for gang activity and a focus on school policing.
The Guardian also reported that the Prime Minister told the House “today that Bahamians should expect to see more saturation patrols. This is a fight that we have to win.”
PRIME MINISTER SPEAKING IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:
https://www.facebook.com/opmbs
