Senator Blackman promises ‘Zero Tolerance’ on crime

Reforming Barbados’ criminal justice system has emerged as a national priority that transcends political partisanship, according to Chad Blackman, a government senator and minister of economic affairs.

Presenting the Bail Bill, 2024 to the Upper Chamber on Wednesday, one day after it received approval from the Lower House, Blackman emphasised the necessity for Barbados to ensure the long-term stability of its society, which is underpinned by good governance. 

He asserted that the amendments to the bail legislation reflect the government’s “zero tolerance” stance on criminal activity, adding it was a crucial piece of legislation that addressed the core of stable governance.

Addressing concerns about public safety, Blackman acknowledged that fears surrounding crime in the nation were justified. He stressed the importance of sending a robust message globally that Barbados remained committed to its zero-tolerance policy in safeguarding the integrity of its criminal justice system. The proposed legislation will make it more difficult for those who commit serious crimes, including murder, to secure bail.

“The government has brought this Bill here today to ensure we can continue with our lives in an orderly fashion and also to send a very strong message to those who believe they can commit crime and go through the revolving door that is the current bail system as if you are walking into a hotel lobby and being met with the bellhop and he walking you back out,” the minister stated. “ In Bajan parlance, dem days done.” 

The new legislation, according to the senator, will shift the burden onto defendants to justify their release on bail to the court. Legal counsel will no longer be able to request their clients’ release based solely on a clean record or the assertion that they are not a flight risk. Instead, the law mandates that defendants will be detained until their trial unless it is deemed “in the interest of justice” for them to be released.

Blackman reminded his fellow senators that the previous Bail Act, which was later challenged and ruled unconstitutional, had required immediate remand for individuals charged with murder or firearm-related offences for a minimum of 24 months. (SP)