The purpose of this service is to allow for some measure of compassion to be extended to persons who have been sentenced to Her Majesty’s Prison for criminal offences, and have demonstrated, through rehabilitation programmes, the ability to be reintegrated into society.
Persons who would be interested in clemency petitions include:
- Inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison
- Citizens on behalf of Inmates
- Business persons on behalf of inmates
The following requirements should be fulfilled to qualify for this service:
- The sentence should be for a minimum of two years.
- The inmate should have served a minimum of six months of the sentence.
- The inmate should not be on Remand or have charges pending.
- An inmate requesting an early release should not have less than four months remaining on the sentence.
- The inmate should have successfully completed the Sentence Plan requirements at Her Majesty’s Prison.
- The inmate should satisfy the Penal Code Amendment Act with respect to sentencing.
- Submit a petition in writing addressed to:
The Honourable Minister of National Security and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. - Petitions may be mailed to the Ministry to Post Office Box N-3217; or, hand delivered to:
Ministry of National Security
3rd Floor Churchill Building
Rawson Square
East and Bay Streets
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
- An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the petitioner within seven (7) days of receipt of the petition by the Ministry.
- The Prerogative of Mercy Unit processes the petition and requests the following reports from the relevant government agencies as appropriate:
- Police.
- Prison and Chaplain.
- Executive Clemency or Progress.
- Psychiatric Report.
- All of the documents relating to the petition are prepared by the Unit for consideration by the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy for as appropriate.
- The petitioner is informed of the results of the petition through the Superintendent of Prisons, a Representative of the Petitioner or the Ministry within 21 days after consideration.
This service can be accessed at the following location:
Ministry of National Security
3rd Floor Churchill Building,
Rawson Square
East and Bay Streets
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 356-6801/2/3, 4400/1/2/3, or 6792
Fax.(242) 356-6087
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
There are no forms to be completed. A Petition letter is submitted.
No supporting documents are required for this service.
The time frame is dependent upon receipt of the relevant reports and the date of the Advisory Committee meeting. 1. The Advisory Committee generally meets two to three times each year to consider the petitions of inmates. 2. Written petitions should be received prior to a meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.No fees are required for this service.
The Head
Prerogative of Mercy Unit
Ministry of National Security
Churchill Building
Rawson Square P. O. Box N 3217
Nassau, N.P. The Bahamas,
Email: nationalsecurity@bahamas.gov.bs
Phone: (242) 502-3301, (242)356-6792/3, (242)356-4400-3
Fax: (242)356-6087
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Sir Orville A. Turnquest Building
John F. Kennedy Drive
P. O. Box N 3217
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
nationalsecurity@bahamas.gov.bs
Phone: (242) 502-3300, 356-6792/3 or 356-4400/3
Fax: (242) 356-6087