Cayman Islands Criminality Retreat
In the face of increasing local crime levels, some 85 representatives from government, the private sector, civic organisations and churches recently met to discuss short, medium and long-term crime prevention strategies based on the Yolande Forde Study on Pre-disposing Factors to Criminality in the Cayman Islands.
Find out what was considered, and how this retreat will form the basis for a pro-active, community-based crime prevention scheme.
Find out what was considered, and how this retreat will form the basis for a pro-active, community-based crime prevention scheme.
With a country that has many juvenile delinquency problems an organization must provide the essentials that a gang would provide to the youth. The organization needs to be like a second family to the child and give him opprotunities that are hard to fail and no matter what the youth does be supportive. People need to see the child as another human being and if they see them smoking they need to teach them that it is a bad habit instead of bringing down judgement on the child that will only make him more rebellious. Community Involvment would get the child out there and be seen by the community and make them some real relationships. Religious Participation would be good for a set of morals for them to follow and provide something to believe in. Educational Experience needs to work at getting off a grading scale and try and teach until they learn because when they see the F or D they are going to think they are not good enough and dig themselves a hole of bad emotions. Then Criminal Profile should teach them of their wrongs and let them know they can change and use their family background to either show they can do better or live up to their name. It may just be my opinion but if you treat anyone less than what you are, a human being, they will feel underminded and be more likely to revolt against the people that think they are better than them. Thanks Aaron Riley123
ReplyDeleteAaron i agree with your statement. It is very implicit and dynamic. You have verified some pretty good points. The organization would need to be very close and supportive in order to be successful and give lots of opportunities. Youths need to be taught a good sense of judgement and with religious participation, being directed to a good set of morals would definitely beneficial. It is true that the educational system is a tad bit overrated. Youths that tend to drop out think of themselves not being qualified in the work field where educational back-rounds are necessary. - Tony Tran123
DeleteSince the country have so much youth crimes increasing it would be a difficult task in controlling at-risk youths in dealing with adolescent problems. Especially, youths growing up in poverty are struggling and are deprived of meeting life opportunities. Education would make them work towards a goal and shape their educational personal growth. The greater risk are in poor members and racial and ethnic minorities. Youths who drop out of school and have no education are more willing to engage in delinquency behaviors. Youths are more susceptible to peer pressure and stress can lead to delinquent behaviors. Age of onset plays a major role in delinquency. Those who are engage in criminal activities at a earlier age are more likely to commit more of the crimes. If you can put more programs in the prevention aspect there wouldn't be much of a problem in rehabilitation where as the youth offender has already committed their life cycle to crimes and may neglect treatment. The best interest is to prevent the youth from engaging in criminal activities and stop that delinquent behavior but for those youth offenders that has pass the point requires rehabilitation. Thanks Tony Tran123
ReplyDeleteI agree about instilling programs while children are still in elementary school. My post mentions the DARE program which I still remember some things to this day!
DeleteI agree with you about the age of onset. I would like to see more programs like this for at risk youths who grow up in areas where the crime rate is high so that hopefully they can slow down the crime rate among young people.
DeleteI think this was a very interesting video. I think it is great that they are trying new creative ways to conquer juvenile delinquency.
ReplyDeleteMy highschool decided to be more conventional and instill metal detectors before we entered the building. Doing so I believe that they caused fear to the students, and a game to the delinquents. It was a challenge to get passed them, but if you did get passed you were on a adrenaline rush and had something to brag about to others. I am not for removing these detectors but it makes me remember my elementary years when we had officers come in and talk to us about the D.A.R.E program. To this day I feel that I remember some of the words that the officers told us.
The video shows us that they are motivating youth to continue their education, and that it is okay to be something other than a lawyer or a doctor. I think that something encouraging words, and motivation for youth can be better than disciplinary measures. This goes with our Chapter 4,labeling theory.
Marlyn Manson was quoted when asked about the Columbine shooting.... "If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in that community, what would you say to them if they were here right now? Marilyn Manson: I wouldn't say a single word to them I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did. Thanks Joanna Glabinski123
Joanna - you make an excellent point. Not enough listening is going on when it comes to young people. They are too often excluded from key decisions that affect them and they need to be part of the solution. I recall during my teenage years during the 1970's that youth insisted on being involved in important decisions - this time period followed the Civil Rights Movement in which many youth were mobilized and the new acts of freedom of expression during the 60's and 70's. It seems that youth are less inclined to "take charge" these days in comparison to those earlier times. Youth, however, must be an active part of any real solution. Thanks, RitaA_123
DeleteRitaA_123 - I agree that there needs to be a paradigm shift in society which sees young people as assets (and not liabilities)and innovative problem solvers about issues that affect them as a community and those that affect society as a whole. I also believe that they have "tak[en] charge". They have rejected, the values of mainstream society which has not valued their input and sought to include them. In this sub-culture young people employ their wit, intellect, interpersonal skills and knowledge to make a living for themselves. Yes, many of them are used by those in control of this sub-culture but that realization comes later for some. The youth are lured by a lifestyle, seen in popular media, which they percieve as ideal and that they are entitled to it. Perhaps the most devasting result is the passing on of this sub-culture's "value system" to their children. From my point of view/vantage point I believe the situation can be arrested and remediated. Maybe a three-pronged approach could be used: 1. a revisit of existing programmes for children and teenagers to ensure that these programmes meet the needs and interests of those who partake; 2. that public and private agencies join forces to ensure that teens and young adults receive further education and training and are employed and 3. that incarcerated youth are rehabilitated. With such a small population (55,000 of which 11,000 are children and youth) this situation could be arrested. There is a saying that goes something like, "I can't hear what you say until you show how much you care". Cheers.
DeleteI like the saying. Many have written off this generation of youth and prefer to focus on the next generation insisting that early childhood education and development is the answer. While I agree there is a need for very early intervention and development, I agree with you that this generation is likely to pass down its subculture values to their children. External forces such as the education system are not likely to change that reality. We, therefore, cannot ignore this generation of youth. Your approach has merit. We must find ways for a "meeting of the minds" in exploring and implementing changes that will build better lives and communities for youth and young adults.
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ReplyDeleteI think that this program can do very good things to prevent young juveniles from turning into career criminals. Instead of treating juvenile offenders like they are horrible kids, people should try to find ways to help them. A lot of these kids do not have positive role models in their lives and they grow up seeing nothing but criminal activity amongst their peers, so when they get older, it is normal for them to turn to a life of crime because that is all that they have ever seen. I think that if these kids could get some positive role models who will help them be motivated to do well in school and get involved in community activities then the crime rate for young offenders would drop. I think that if these kids had more things to do after school and kept busy then they could stay out of trouble. Thanks Casey Juvinall123
ReplyDeleteI agree that every juvenile needs a postive role model in their life. I believe with community involvement, education and the proper funding that we can prevent juvenile crime, not all juvenile crime but we can at least provide other options.
DeleteI totally agree with you Casey. Although these programs will not prevent all future juvenile delinquencies, I think that this a step in the right direction. Juveniles need positive influence and people to reach out to them, more than they need to be treated like the scum of society. Everyone makes mistakes in their lives and I believe that everyone can change if they want too. I think these programs will definitely be extremely effective in helping with the problems of juvenile delinquency.
DeleteWith so many issues with gangs and gang violence, the root causes need to be addressed. Are these children provided with a safe and nurturing home life? If not, what can be done to help these troubled youth live a more productive and fulfilling life? I think that this program is a great way to help children. Religion is also another way to give these children something to believe in and give them hope for their future. Education is an important tool to help children. Not only does education provide a better future, but it helps children socially as well. I think that prevention efforts should be made. Those who are beyond this, need to focus on rehabilitation. Thanks Nicole Bierma 123.
ReplyDeleteThose are some valid points. Children growing up in poverty are not getting the opportunities needed to provide for a better future. Also, they are easier prone to engage in delinquent activities. Religion programs would give youths beliefs and may change their views. Education is definitely an asset in attaining social skills and may focus youths on better influences. I agree prevention is the key in addressing this problem and rehabilitation is an factor of those beyond that point. -Thanks Tonytran123
DeleteYou are also right Tony. Children living in poverty are at great risk to be victims,offenders or both. These kids are victimized in the first place because they are poor and the stresses that poverty puts on family, or lack of family, and then when they make a mistake all this society wants to do is throw them in jail and victimize them again. Our country needs to concentrate on prevention and education instead of punishment. Every community should be working towards the community involvement that is happening in the Cayman Islands. Beverly123
DeleteI think implementing programs to educate youth on crime and drugs is an excellent idea; however, I believe it must be done in a way that youths can actively relate for them to be more effective. Programs should not only teach children that crime/drugs are wrong, but they should also provide them with mentors to look up to, conventional advice and wisdom, and follow ups to address current or new problematic issues. Today it seems that children are more prone to incur violence within the media and just about daily. Maybe increased lobbying to regulate what the media puts on TV would help reduce what they deem to be a reality full of violence. I also completely agree with Dr. White that spending money on such programs would significantly reduce future crimes and make society better as a whole by putting these preventative measures into play. It would be interesting to see what happens in regards to crime when these programs are initiated in an area with a high crime rate.
ReplyDeleteI agree that spending money would potentially reduce juvenile crime. I thought it was interesting that the community was so involved. I think that this is a very good tactic. Involving juveniles will allow us to get their point of view, what would work and what possibly wouldnt. Education is very important. I believe not only in the class room but educating the youth on crime and ways they can live their life without being involved in gangs and crime. This would be interesting if we would do this in the United States.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that involving the youths to get their point of view was a good idea. It is hard to think and understand like a youth when you have experienced life as an adult. Many times we dismiss something as unimportant but to a youth it may seem much more life altering. I also agree that education is important. Working with youths to prevent bad behavior and show them the consequences of commiting crimes may help them make good choices. Holly123
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DeleteI think it's a good thing to not only provide valuable educational and community based care but also the acceptance that not everyone will go into a standard career. By proving activities and positive peer figures these juveniles are less likely to turn to negative peer groups. It's easy to lock up a large juvenile population but much harder in the legislative process to secure preventive care measures. It has been proven over and over that educational programs reduce recidivism but often the money is not afforded for these programs.
ReplyDeleteRobert123
Prevention is the number one key! A prevention program that a whole community is involved with is an excellent idea. Preventing youths from becomming delinquest is where you should start. It is never too late for prevention. As long as the community is educated on the plans of these new programs it should work great. As well as intervention programs. It is amazing how a community can come together to save their future of their youths and the community as a whole. I cannot see any negative outcomes of this prevention program as long as everyone is educated about the new programs being implemented.
ReplyDeleteAnnaM123
I agree with you that it is never too late for prevention and that it is important for an entire community to join forces. All aspects of a youth's life must be addresed to competely address the problem of juvenile delinquency. The more areas that can influence positive actions by youths the more chance they have to make good choices.
DeleteHolly123
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ReplyDeleteThe information gathered from the Crime Prevention Retreat recognizes that all aspects of a juvenile's life must be addressed when developing programs to prevent delinquent behavior. Realizing that transportation may be an issue for some youths is just a small example of this. The individual needs of the youth need to be addressed as well. We must not "pigeonhole" youths into roles that do not suit them. They must be given a chance to recognize their talents and exlpore the opportunities they provide. I agree that if more money is spent on prevetion in time less would be needed for intervention and rehabilitation and lives would be saved. As in many studies the ideas are many and easy to be suggeted but the implementation of the programs and continued involvement can prove to be difficult. Thanks Holly123
ReplyDeleteHolly,
DeleteI agree with your statement that to pigeonhole a child is wrong. It limits their freedom of expression and creativity, outlets, that I think, are crucial to maturity and growth. I think it's important that people feel they can do and be whatever they dream to be and set their mind to do. If I had the choice of going to a doctor who loved his job versus a doctor who felt forced into his profession by his social surroundings, I would choose the one who loved his job. I think a person who loves their job puts more passion and care into their daily tasks, whereas I think any job done by force will always be a "chore."
-Rachael_S.123
Holistic as Dr. Ali says....You are right on point.
DeleteI personally believe that the ideas of getting the community involved with educating these youths is an excellent idea to help prevent future juvenile delinquency. The Cayman Islands are taking an excellent step that the United States should consider implementing a little more. I feel that educating children more and getting the community more involved will definitely help prevent some future criminal activities. All the juveniles need is a little positive guidance.
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting to see community leaders and young people working together as a committee to achieve a better life for young people. I agreed with Dr. White when he noted how beneficial to the government's budget a program like this would be. This way the funds have multiple uses, deterring kids from crime through positive influences but also instilling in them something beyond what the current school system gives them. I think this program would give these kids HOPE that they can be more than criminals and the confidence to TRY. I think kids are afraid of failure and what their friends and family will say if they fail. I also liked what Woody Foster said about how it's been discussed so now let's do it. I believe that's a big problem for most governments. Great plans but no action. I think this is just reaffirming to the children their fear of failure. If the government doesn't take action at bettering the community, why should a teenager take action to better his life? I think with the future of these kids riding in the balance it's time to just go for it!
ReplyDeleteRegards, Rachael_S.123
You have a very good point in that getting the funds and actually having the members of the committee start taking action are the biggest obstacles in the beginning. Once the program is running what ideas would you have for keeping the juveniles interested in staying in the program? How would you help the juvenile get over the fear of failing and being a successful member of society, would you target his family for rehabilitation as well?
DeleteKeith E.123
Young people had to be there. How can we aid without their voice? Nice insight.
DeleteThe pre-disposing factors that lead to criminality are universal. The criminality study that took place in the Cayman Islands focused on the same factors that criminologists here in the United States focus upon. We are all affected by the community we grow up in and our friends, our families, our education, our religious participation, and our criminal background. Hillary Clinton once said, “It takes a village to raise a child”. The “village” or community in which a child lives can determine whether a child grows up to be an upstanding citizen or a criminal. How well a society sustains and supports its families and individuals has a direct impact on juvenile delinquency and future criminality. Here in America society is too preoccupied with punishment; and prisons for profit that make labor slaves out of the inmates. This country should take the cue from the Cayman Islands and spend the trillions of dollars spent on building, staffing, maintaining, and housing offenders; on education, prevention and community based programs that can change a child’s life path in a positive way. Preventive measure s are good not only for the offender, but for the entire country. I really like the point the young man in the film made when he said, “Not everyone wants to be doctors or lawyers”. Today, because of the technological revolution just getting a liberal arts degree will not guarantee a person a good job. Computers have eliminated a lot of white collar jobs and the jobs of those who supervised these people. I think that education today needs to become more targeted and streamlined so that people have skills that are in demand in the workplace, and this is especially true of children and juveniles who are at risk. Beverly123
ReplyDeleteOverall the video was very interesting and informative on the current situation that the Cayman Islands are facing and what steps they are taking to prevent it. The video describes the rising crime rates in youth as the main problem and the area they want to start helping out. I think if the rates are already rising and they are seeing an overwhelming amount of juveniles as the offenders, then the program needs to be geared more towards rehabilitation for the juveniles with a secondary program geared towards prevention. With the first program being geared towards rehabilitation I would offer it to the juvenile and to the family because if the juvenile is rehabilitated and enters back into a dis functional family life, the juvenile will more then likely relapse back into the same issues. In the video there was a student that showed interest in offering different educational options to the program, I think this would be a good idea to offer a broader range of job skills and education to the juvenile entering into the program so when he completes the program he has a skill he can use in the work force. The second program geared at prevention of juveniles entering into delinquent acts I would target kids at school, having them enter into a bi-weekly class that educates them about whatever issue the Cayman islands is facing at that time with juveniles, example gangs, drugs, theft. I would also offer an after school program for juveniles to keep them away from this activity if they are at risk juveniles or have an dis functional home life. Overall there is a lot more to take into consideration and to actually have these programs available, but I believe having a plan in place is the first step to helping out juveniles.
ReplyDeleteKeith E.123
Kieth, you make some critical points. Good heads up here!
DeleteIt's good to see the diversity of groups coming together to address youth crime in the Cayman Islands. I was especially pleased to see the presences of a good number of young people involved in the process. Too often, we made decisions for the youth thinking that we know what is best for them, yet we fail to include their voices, their creative solutions, and their direct involvement. This is a fatal mistake. The youth have insight that others do not have and they can offer creative solutions, which the participants of this retreat insist are important. The target areas that participants focused on seem to be appropriate areas in exploring predisposing factors. Education and family are certainly natural areas. I would be interested in knowing how much participants discussed economic factors such as jobs for youth. Idle time and lack of money can often lead to criminal behavior. The U.S. has seen increases in crime following reductions in summer job programs which target urban youth and we have seen reductions in crime following increases in summer job programs that employ youth. One of the retreat participants spoke about investment - I love that word. She pointed about the importance of making investments in the youth. It will obviously take resources but the investment of time, money, and other resources will be an investment in our future. Programs such as D.A.R.E in the U.S. have been cut out due to budget constraints yet those are the types of investments that kept many youth from getting into serious trouble. A coordinated, community strategy is needed and it appears the Cayman Islands is take the right steps toward this. I believe the holistic approach is needed. It was good to see Dr. White's leadership in this effort.
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DeleteIt was a one day event where sub groups (Gov. NGO's & Churches)were created and specifically empowered to address the very questions you raised. The main purpose was to move beyond mere speech. Identifying, preventing, rehabilitating, habilitating, etc. that 20 percent of juveniles who commit 80 percent of the delinquency is critical in any jurisdiction.
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