EDITORIAL: Unemployment, young men and guns

“This fight against gun violence, against firearm crime cannot be a spectator event with the members of the public simply crying out for the police to do more, without looking inward and asking ourselves the very hard question, ‘What is my role in solving this problem?’” – The Attorney General of Barbados, Dale Marshall. “ Barbados Advocate article, Tackling Crime

Over the last 30 years, the crime rate has increased rapidly and the face of crime is young, troubled men who spend much of their early lives at Her Majesty Dodds Prison. Where did we go wrong? 

A glance at crime in Barbados and the region

According to the Barbados & Eastern Caribbean 2020 Crime and Safety Report, the US Department of State has assessed the capital, Bridgetown, as a high threat location. The report also highlighted the number of murders, kidnappings, sexual assaults, robberies, shootings, residential burglaries, drug-related crimes, and vehicle thefts. Although there were statistics in all categories for 2018, burglaries and drug-related crimes were in triple figures, 325 and 490 per 100,000 citizens respectively. St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines had concerning figures but Barbados ranked the highest in drug-related crimes. 

More crime, higher incarceration 

This rise in drug-related crime also increased the gun violence in Barbados. This also affected the inmate population in the island’s lone prison. 

By 2018, HMP Dodds had incarcerated 862 offenders, with the majority young men (BPS). From the prison studies organisation, in 1981, there were only 247 inmates, and by 2000, the amount expanded to 1 411. 

The annual Barbados Prison Service report between 2013 to 2018, said it was costing between 26 to 29 million Barbados dollars to maintain the penal institution. 

Could Barbadians imagine what that money could do to educate and create jobs for young men before they end up behind bars?

When, where, and how did we get here?  

Society is not without blame, but society alone is not the cause of the high number of young Barbadian men who are unemployed, violent, and heading to or sitting in prison. The education system which has remained unchanged and is yet to adapt to the new era, one-sided

political policies, and poor economic management also play a role in this problem created in the last 25 years. But is there anything to gain? 

Young prisoners taught skills, earn revenue

They say “ idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. But idle hands can work. According to the annual report from Barbados Prison Service, prisoners learned skills, worked, and earned thousands of dollars in revenue in 2018. In handicrafts, furniture making, farming, and auto work, inmates earned almost 150k in revenue. Money can be made from incarcerated people. But what are the losses? 

This does not put a dent in the cost of keeping these young men locked up, many of whom have families and should be contributing in a positive way to society. 

Change the narrative

This situation must stop now. Drugs, guns, and young men are a lethal mix causing fear, anger, and grief in our communities. If Barbados expects to see any decline in the crime rate, if they expect to see young men become self-sufficient and skilled individuals, our policymakers must invest in their future. Give them a reason to stay away from ‘the block’ and give them the confidence to seek out a job or entrepreneurship. Create more mentorship, skills training, more sporting activities, and spiritual and behavioral counselling. Let us save our young men from a future of crime and despair.