By L.K. Hewlett
St. Kitts Reporter
After being without a proper correctional facility for juveniles for some years, plans are underway to construct such a facility in St. Kitts in the near future.
The island’s sole juvenile correctional institution, the Harris Home was burnt to the ground leaving the penal system with no place to house delinquent youths.
The government has applied for a loan from the Caribbean Development towards the cost of a Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre to be built in Harris’ Village.
According to information reaching this paper, construction on the facility may begin as early as the first quarter of 2008.
The Minister of National Security Hon. Dwyer Astaphan had previously stated that along with more assistance for the Police Force, his ministry would be looking to rebuild the correctional facility.
As more youth turn to delinquent and antisocial behaviour, residents have expressed their concern for future of our society. The majority of cases going before the courts have defendants barely over the school-leaving age. These minors are being charged with gun and ammunition possession, possession of illegal drugs, robbery, larceny, wounding and even shooting offences.
While blame is being cast in all directions including the schools, the ministers of government, television, music and parents, there seems to be substantive solution to saving our young people.
Minister Astaphan had expressed the view that putting minors behind bars with hardened criminals would not aid in their rehabilitation but instead expose them to negative influences, which would lead them further down the wrong path.
During the first quarter of 2007, there were only 4 recorded crimes committed by juveniles compared to 29 in the corresponding period in 2006.
