The purpose of this service is to allow for the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy to review the case of an inmate who has been condemned to death to determine whether it is a proper case for the Prerogative of Mercy to be exercised.

Persons who would be interested in this service include:

  • Condemned inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison.
  • Citizens on behalf of inmates.
  • Business persons on behalf of inmates.

Eligibility 
  • The condemned inmate must have exhausted all appeals after receiving a death sentence.
  • The appeal for the death sentence to be stayed should be made to the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy by the inmate or a representative.
  • The inmate must not have commenced the appeals process, as the Advisory Committee cannot take any action once informed that the process has been initiated.
  • The case must satisfy the requirements of the Penal Code Amendment Act.
Process 
  1. A written petition is submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
  2. The Prerogative of Mercy Unit of the Ministry will prepare the documents relating to the cases of condemned inmates for consideration by the Advisory Committee.
  3. The condemned inmate is provided with the documents regarding the case that is to be considered by the Advisory Committee, a minimum of ten days prior to a meeting of the Advisory Committee.
  4. The condemned inmate is advised of the decision by the Superintendent of Prisons within ten days after a meeting of the Advisory Committee.  

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

Application Form(s) 

No application forms are required.  A petition letter should be submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Supporting Documents 

No supporting documents are required for this service.

Turn-around time 
The time frame is dependent upon receipt of the relevant reports from the agencies and when the Advisory Committee meets.
Deadline 
• The Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy meets twice each year to consider petitions of inmates. • Written petitions should be received in sufficient time prior to a Meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Related Fee(s) 

No fees are required for this service.

For more information please contact 

The Head
Prerogative of Mercy Unit
Ministry of National Security
Church House
East Street and Sands Road
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 326-4118
Fax.(242) 328-3889
E-mail: nationalsecurity@bahamas.gov.bs 
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays

 
Related Services
Agency Contact Info
 
National Security, Ministry of
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
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