Crime
Addressing Root Causes of Crime in Barbados: Calls for Action From Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps Director
Root causes of crime in Barbados were identified, but insufficient action was taken. Calls for a mandatory boot camp for deviant youth were renewed to address societal reintegration challenges.
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Originally published by nationnews.com (opens in new tab)
Although many of the root causes of crime in Barbados were revealed, not enough was done to address them.
Director of the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps Hally Haynes shared that view yesterday as he renewed calls for the establishment of a mandatory boot camp for deviant young people before they are reintegrated into society.
“In 2010, research carried out by the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development, on behalf of the heads of government of CARICOM, revealed that the number one concern among adolescents and youth in the Caribbean was crime and violence. In this report, poverty, unemployment, politics, social inequalities, constant exposure to crime and violence, diminished participation in social activities, and changes in social practices . . . were the reasons or causes articulated.
“Having been part of the research team, without prejudice, I wish to state that we dropped the ball as it relates to the implementation of recommendations resulting from this youth development study, which was indeed commissioned by the heads of government,” Haynes said.
Concern
He was speaking at the At-Risk Youth Foundation’s youth conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St Michael.
Haynes said he was concerned about the prevalence of crime in the country, particularly those committed by the youth.
He noted that so far for 2024, there were 48 homicides compared to 20 in 2023. He also cited studies carried out by criminologists Kirk Alleyne and Kim Ramsay which revealed more troubling statistics.
“The study undertaken by Mr Alleyne which was published in 2023, found that between 2002 and June 2022, 1 874 minors, mostly males, were charged with offences. Of these, 810 males and 94 females were later charged as adults for major crimes, including serious body harm, endangering life, aggravated rape, burglary and robbery.
Clear link
The research stated that among those charged with murder after turning 16, more than 90 per cent had no educational qualifications,” Haynes said.
He said the criminologist posited the view that there was a clear link between lack of educational attainment and violence.
Unless immediate measures were taken to address the rising rate of youth-driven violence, he said the cycle would continue.
Haynes called for the introduction of a national
youth service.
