Home Affairs Minister Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte has disclosed that the age of individuals entering the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) is decreasing.
“What we have noticed is that the age range keeps going down. So it means that our young people are the most vulnerable. They are the ones that are populating out correctional facility,” Albert-Poyotte said.
And she emphasised the need for preventative measures.
The Babonneau MP spoke at the launch of the USAID Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBS) portfolio of projects in Saint Lucia last week.
The BCF is home to about 544 inmates.
“Interestingly, only fourteen of them are female. So when we target youth, we know what direction we have to address the situation,” Albert-Poyotte asserted.
In addition, she observed that most inmates are on remand, indicating that the wheels of justice are ‘a little too slow.
According to Albert-Poyotte, prevention is the key.
She declared there is a need to prevent rather than treat or cure criminal activity.
As a result, the Minister told her audience that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre had instructed a Youth at Risk Unit to coordinate all activities relating to young people from different government agencies to prevent them from ‘crossing the line’.
Headline photo: Stock image of young inmates at BCF
Take it or leave it – like it or not – here’s the cure; YOU KILL – YOU HANG.
For the so called youth – you do crime / you’re ass whipped publicly.
The Churches have failed, the Law Courts have failed, Governments same.
So its a revolving door. One crime, two crimes, been there, done that, what’s
the end game? in St. Lucia – none; back to ‘Square one’ – worse everyday.
So its like you think that they will go and work for the private sector for 2 to 3 EC dollars an hour what is taking you so long to enact a minimum wage isn’t that what you were elected for …
The young men of our country have been forgotten and neglected. We will all pay the price for this. If we continue to prop up the women and do nothing to directly contribute to the development of our young men, we will ALL SUFFER.
For we are Sinners and Fall short of the glory of God,
God send his precious Prince into the world,so that those who believes in him may walk whithout fear and harm …
How great is the unfailing ❤️ Love of God for mankind…
The LORD looKS from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,to hear the groans of the prisonniers and release those who are condemed to death to fulfill his purpose,in man and through man….
@justsayin, you are absolutely right. I am not sure what is causing this blindness that they cannot see. A problem that is so obvious.