The Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services, under the purview of the Director of the Department of Social Services, provides probation and complementary rehabilitative programmes for the deterrence of offenders.There are seven (7) Units through which services are offered:

1.   Probation Adult Unit

This Unit provides the Supreme and Magistrates Courts with timely, relevant and accurate pre-sentence reports for adults. This Unit’s investigative information assists the Court in the determination of sentences.

2.   Probation Juvenile and After Care Unit

This Unit provides the following:

• Supervision and counselling of juvenile probationers;
• Preparation of Probation and Progress Reports, and
• Networks with schools, Health Social Services (SRC), Community Counselling and Assessment Centre and other social partners.

This Unit also provides services to juveniles upon their release from the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys and the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, as they are still minors. The case worker is responsible for assisting with their readjustment into society through:

• Enrollment into educational/vocational schools, and
• Counselling for a period not less than one (1) year and not exceeding three (3) years.

Address and Contact Information:
DRWS Head Office (temporary location)
Aventura Plaza,
JFK Drive and Bethel Avenue
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 397-8600
Fax. (242) 325-0134
Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3. Simpson Penn Centre For Boys

This correctional and residential facility ensures that the conditions and terms of the Court’s decisions are satisfied, as well as provides for the proper care and supervision of the residents. Opportunities are available for individual and group counseling towards the rehabilitation of, and positive impact on, the residents. Residents are required to attend the Penn/Pratt Education Unit to attain their diploma and/or sit national exams.

Address and Contact Information:
Simpson Penn Centre for Boys
Fox Hill Road
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 324-2025
Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

4. Willie Mae Pratt Centre For Girls

This correctional and residential facility ensures that the same Court conditions and rehabilitative interventions are provided to residents that are available at the Simpson Penn Centre.

Address and Contact Information:
Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls
Fox Hill Road
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 324-1375
Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

5.  Welfare Unit at The Bahamas Department Of Correctional Services (BDOCS)

This Unit assists in promoting the general objectives of the Prisons, with emphasis on the rehabilitation of inmates.

Address and Contact Information:
Welfare Unit at BDOCS
BDOCS Compound, Fox Hill Road
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 364-9888/9
Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 6.  Parole Unit

This Unit is to maintain frequent contact with the parolee, and use the resources of agencies and the community as a bridge to help parolees achieve self-efficacy and a level of normalcy in the community.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparation of Reports for the Advisory Committee for the Prerogative Board of Mercy on behalf of inmates applying for clemency (early release);
• Supervision and counselling of inmates released on license; and
• Liaising with Prison Fellowship in its ministry to inmates, ex-inmates and their families, and to collaborate for a just and effective Criminal Justice System.

Address and Contact Information:
Parole Unit ;
Aventura Plaza,
JFK Drive and Bethel Avenue
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 397-8600
Fax. (242) 325-0134
Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

7. National Parenting Programme

The National Parenting Programme facilitates workshops and provides counselling to assist parents in examining and sharpening their parenting and communication skills, so that they can work more effectively with their families and members of the community.

• Classes are held at the Sunco Plaza Building, University Drive on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Parent’s Support Groups are held on the first Thursday monthly, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Community Service Programme - Alternative sentencing.

Address and Contact Information:
The National Parenting Programme
Sunco Building, Hillside Plaza
Thompson Blvd.
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel.  (242) 323-3473/5
Cell. (242) 376-2619
Fax. (242) 325-5205
Email-NTLPARENTINGPROGRAM@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS
Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.