Progress on Public Safety: Improved Rehabilitation, Mental Health Services
Over the last few weeks, we've highlighted action that the PLP Government is taking to improve public safety and combat crime. We highlighted reforms to the criminal code, liquor license act and summary offences act that give the police more powers to bring criminals to justice. We highlighted preventative measures like an expanded Mirrors programme, new counseling services, a direct community outreach initiatives and homework help centres that are designed to create opportunity for our young people and steer them away form a life of crime. And, we highlighted services for victims and those who are impacted by crime to ensure that Bermudians can cope with the trauma of crime and violence.
Today, we're highlighting the formation of the Assertive Outreach Team by Mid Atlantic Wellness to cut down on repeat offenders by rehabilitating criminals. Health Minister Walter Roban explains:
Additionally, MWI will be setting up an Assertive Outreach Team with forensic capacity in the next fiscal year. The Assertive Outreach Team comprises professionals whose backgrounds and training include social work, rehabilitation, counseling, nursing and psychiatry. They work pro-actively with clients, assisting them to participate in and continue treatment, live independently and recover from disability.
The type of service they provide is long term, as the process of recovery takes many years. It will also be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This team will work closely with the Bermuda Department of Corrections and professionals from the probation service, with the goal to foster the resources necessary for clients to remain in the community and stop the ‘revolving’ door’ of patients requiring institutionalization.
People who commit crimes can be rehabilitated and become productive members of society. These services will help to promote rehabilitation and cut down on repeat offenders.
Minister Roban also highlighted a new partnership with Howard University to treat mental illness. Mental illness can contribute to crime, and, a clinical relationship with experts overseas will help to improve the quality of mental health treatment Bermudians receive. Minister Roban:
Just as we have driven clinical partnerships with East Coast Hospitals for acute health care at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, this Government has been keen to establish a clinical relationship with a world class mental health institution.
A collaboration has now been initiated between the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of Howard University in Washington, DC and the physicians at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Bermuda.
The collaboration will allow an exchange of residents and other trainees. This association will also ensure that our community receives the best of mental health care.
As we've described in detail over the past two weeks, the PLP Government is taking action to improve public safety in Bermuda - but, we can't do it alone. We need you to do your part. If you know of someone who needs help, make sure they get help before the crime occurs. If you know of someone who committed a crime, call the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477. We all have to do our part to build a safer Bermuda. We hope you'll join us in our cause.
