Good morning,
It is both timely and symbolic that we gather here this morning, just one day after celebrating our nation’s 52nd anniversary of independence, to break ground on a project that speaks directly to the heart of national sovereignty: the administration of justice and the protection of public safety.
Through today’s groundbreaking, we are building capacity for justice, safety, and fair outcomes for our people.
For decades, we have acknowledged the urgent need to modernize and reform our justice and correctional systems. The structures that have stood in place for generations have served us well, but they have also borne the weight of time, and are now unable to meet the demands of an ever-evolving society. That is why we have committed ourselves to addressing existing deficiencies.
The new Judicial Complex and High/Medium Security Correctional Facility that will be built on these grounds is a bold declaration of my government’s commitment to justice, security, and the dignity of all Bahamians.
We’ve heard from the Honourable Chief Justice, who spoke eloquently about what this new judicial complex will mean for the administration of justice.
Access to modern courtrooms, better technology, and an environment conducive to due process will go a long way toward strengthening the public’s confidence in the legal system. This complex will serve as a symbol of transparency and accessible justice. It will uphold the constitutional rights of every citizen and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
The Correctional Facility, designed with both security and rehabilitation in mind, acknowledges a truth no society can afford to ignore: that incarceration must not only punish wrongdoing but must also prepare individuals to re-enter society as productive, reformed citizens. This facility will include spaces for education, vocational training, mental health support, and spiritual development, because when we invest in people, regardless of the mistakes they have made, we ultimately strengthen our society.
The Minister of National Security reminded us that constructing a new facility augurs well for prison reform, and is a crucial step toward transforming our prison system into a truly modern correctional service – one that is secure, humane, and focused on both accountability and rehabilitation.
I want to echo those sentiments and add that the way a nation treats those in custody says a great deal about who we are as a people.
The correctional facility must be punitive, yes – but also a place where lives are redirected, skills are learnt, and hope is restored.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is not simply a building project. It is a human project. One that simultaneously respects the rights of victims to justice, upholds the dignity of the incarcerated, supports the safety of our officers, and honours the expectations of the Bahamian people.
As we chart the course for a safer and more just Bahamas, we do so guided by the Five Pillars of our National Crime Prevention Strategy:
Prevention, Policing, Prosecution, Punishment, and Rehabilitation.
Prevention is a critical pillar – because the most effective way to fight crime is to stop it before it starts, by investing in communities, education, opportunity, and youth development.
Policing is essential – when we strengthen our law enforcement agencies and ensuring they are properly resourced, trained, and held to the highest standards of accountability.
We are strengthening Prosecution by modernizing our courts and ensuring that justice is swift, fair, and transparent.
Punishment is also a pillar of our strategy – by ensuring consequences for unlawful acts are proportionate and are seen as just and as deterrents for would-be criminals and repeat offenders.
And, of course, there is Rehabilitation – because we believe in second chances. We believe that those who have fallen can rise again with the right support.
This project that we have undertaken is a tangible expression of all five pillars.
So, let this be a legacy moment: one that honours the ideals of our Independence, upholds the rule of law, and points us toward a better, stronger Bahamas.
I wish to thank the Ministry of National Security, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Correctional Services, and all our partners, local and international, who have helped bring us to this moment.
As we break ground today, let us also break with outdated practices.
Let us break the cycle of recidivism.
Let us break barriers to access to justice.
And let us lay the foundation – not only for these buildings – but for a future grounded in hope and restoration.
May God bless this project, and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Thank you.