National

“The Proposed Facility Too Costly”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The construction of a new correctional facility hitting another stumbling block as government has mandated the BDOCS scale down the cost of the project.

Published

1 year ago

July 17, 2023

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The construction of a new correctional facility hitting another stumbling block as government has mandated the Department of Corrections scale down the cost of the project.

Acting Commissioner of Corrections Doan Cleare says the government believes the current price tag is too expensive.

The government is looking at ways to cut expenses for the new corrections facility, according to Acting Commissioner of Corrections Doan Clear.

In early May, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the facility will cost $90 million.

The plan is for the new facility to house its own medical facility, psychiatric wing, a solar system, and a reverse osmosis system.

The state of the current prison has been the subject of heavy criticism over the years.

The 2022 U.S. Human Rights Report on The Bahamas said prison conditions were harsh due to overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, poor nutrition and inadequate medical care.

Cleare says the prison averages around 1300 inmates.