BDCS recruiting 100 new officers from Family Islands

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services are in Grand Bahama to search for 100 new recruits.

Acting Commissioner Don Cleare and his team want to hire 70 qualified men and 30 qualified women.

Because of a lack of qualified applicants in Nassau, he said they are visiting the Family Islands to find candidates who meet the required qualifications.

A total of 50 new recruits will come from the Family Islands, with at least 20 from Grand Bahama.

Mr Cleare said the recruitment initially started December 18, but response was slow because there were other recruitment exercises during that time by the other law enforcement agencies.

He indicated that BDCS is in the process of implementing “a new correctional model and plans to build a new prison facility.

“This (exercise) is important for us because we are now about to construct a new prison, and it is a diverse facility. So, right now, although we have been recruiting for two months, I am still 44 short in terms of persons who have met qualifications.

“So, we had to reopen the recruitment exercise again. When we close it next Wednesday, all indication is that we will meet our goal,” said the acting commissioner. Corrections Corporal Detrice McCardy, public relations director, said they have visited Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Bimini, Long Island, and conducted video conferences for the southern islands.

“This is (our) second time in Grand Bahama conducting a recruitment exercise. The first time we were unsuccessful and did not get as many applicants as we anticipated. But this time around, the dynamics have changed, and we are expecting a good turnout.

“We want to give Grand Bahamians an opportunity for employment at BDCS,” said Ms McCardy. She noted that there are benefits, including good health insurance, satisfactory salary, training opportunities both locally and abroad, and stability.

Ms McCardy also noted that as government employees, BDCS staff can get loans from any financial institution.

The acting commissioner said training will start on March 13 in New Providence.

Accommodations will be provided for recruits at the compound for the duration of their training for some 16 weeks.

Corporal McCardy said the cut off for recruitment is February 14. She said all applicants must be Bahamians.

Interested persons 18-30 years of age must undergo drug and medical screening, security vetting and a physical fitness assessment.

72 Foreign Nationals Charged With Various Immigration Violations

They must possess a minimum of five BJCs or equivalent, including English language.

Mr Cleare reported that they had to turn down hundreds in New Providence because they lacked the required academic qualifications.

“One thing I wish to say is that ages 13 to 15 years are so critical -I implore all students at that tender age that this is the best chance to get your BJCs and GCEs to get employment.

“It hurts my heart to turn down persons. We turned down hundreds in New Providence who were looking for jobs, but they don’t have the necessary qualifications, and it is very sad. It is no secret the Out Islands have more steadier grades than New Providence,” he said.

Mr Cleare noted that they are not only looking for correctional officers, but also electricians, nurses, carpenters, plumbers, technicians, pilots, teachers, etc.

“Anyone that has skills can apply today,” he said.

EXUMA WOMAN ORDERED TO REPAY OVER $10K CASH SHE STOLE FROM PARADISE GAMES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was ordered to fully reimburse her former employer yesterday after she admitted stealing more than $10,000 in cash from Paradise Games in Exuma late last year.

Ashley Major, 30, represented by attorney Alphonso Lewis, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of stealing by reason of employment.

Between December 1, 2022, and January 19 it is said that Major stole $10,057 from Paradise Games Limited in Black Point, Exuma, while employed there. In court the accused pleaded guilty. Major apologised to both the court and her family for what she had done.

In view of this and in order to deter future work-based offences the chief magistrate ordered that Major fully reimburse the gaming house and further imposed a fine of

$1,500.

Major was told that she had to pay the fine and $5,000 of her debt off before her release.

She has until April 14 to pay off the balance and is expected to return to court for a report on the same day.

In a separate court hearing, a man was sentenced to two years in prison after he admitted breaking into a Bay Street shop and causing damage to the property earlier this week.

Wayne Orlando Toussaint, 54, appeared before

SEVENTY-TWO foreign nationals were charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday for various immigration infractions, the Department of Immigration said.

They all appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr.

Thirty-two Cubans were convicted of illegal landing. Two of them were sentenced to four months in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services while 30 of them were conditionally discharged and released to the Department of Immigration to be deported.

Forty Haitians were convicted of illegal landing. Two received custodial sentences of three months at BDCS, and 37 were conditionally discharged and released to the department to be deported. In addition to the charge of illegal landing, one Haitian man was also convicted of knowingly attempting to mislead an immigration officer and subsequently sentenced to six months at BDCS on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently. Three Haitians were also charged with overstaying. Two pleaded guilty and were convicted. They were fined $2,000 or, in default of payment, will serve six months at BDCS. They were conditionally discharged. One Haitian woman pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to a later date. Upon payment of fines, completion of sentences, and discharge, all persons were ordered to be turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation.

Two Men Granted Bail On Possession Of Drugs Charges

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were granted bail in court yesterday after being accused of having illegal narcotic pills.

Marvin Clarke, 35, and Javon Ashe, 41, faced Magistrate Samuel McKinney on two counts of possession of dangerous drugs.

Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on charges of shopbreaking and damage.

On January 29, Toussaint broke into Cash Biz, a property owned by Anthony Miaoulus. This forced entry resulted in damage to the establishment’s metal gate and wall, which was valued at $2,830.

In court the accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services on both charges, which are to be served concurrently.

It is alleged that on January 31 in New Providence, the two were arrested by police after they were found with 10 methamphetamine and one opioid pills. In court both accused pleaded not guilty. They were each granted $3,500 bail with one or two sureties. Their trial is set for March 2.