AG Pinder Outlined Major Advances in Criminal Justice and Immigration Reform

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas -- Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Ryan Pinder said the Government of The Bahamas remained steadfast in advancing major justice reforms as part of its 2026 national agenda.

Over the past four years, Pinder noted the government has made significant strides in improving access to justice. This includes comprehensive legislative updates, policy changes to strengthen the criminal justice system and targeted efforts to reduce long standing case backlogs.

"We've expanded the portfolio of the Magistrates Courts so they can hear more matters and take the pressure off the Supreme Court," Pinder said.

On a visit to Grand Bahama at the Legal Year opening, in an interview he highlighted that measures, such as the Anti-Gang Bill and the new Bail Act, are already being used effectively by judges to revoke bail in appropriate circumstances and impose suitable penalties.

Turning to immigration, Pinder clarified that despite public speculation, there is no new Immigration Bill. Instead, the government is focused on amendments that support stronger enforcement and more efficient approvals.

"From a policy point of view, we aim to strengthen the Department of Immigration so it can better enforce the laws and ensure that any migration into the country is legal migration," he said. He added that the newly passed Anti-Smuggling Bill is another priority, closing long standing gaps in the law by criminalizing the smuggling of both people and goods.

In discussion, Pinder also outlined two major pieces of legislation, in final consultation: a) Completely Rewritten Penal Code (which dated back to the 1920s); b) Conditional Release of Offenders Bill (Parole Bill).

The Attorney General underscored that the administration's broader goal is to deliver a justice system that is more efficient, more equitable and fully modernised. He added that the work done over the past four years reflects the government's deep commitment to strengthening the criminal justice framework and improving outcomes for all Bahamians.