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Youth Empowerment: Juvenile Liaison Scheme for a Safer Future

The Royal Barbados Police Force's Juvenile Liaison Scheme, established in 1983, aims to reduce juvenile delinquency by diverting young offenders from the criminal justice system through counseling and supervision. The scheme involves a structured committee and a dedicated liaison office to engage at-risk juveniles, aged 11-16 years, who exhibit behavioral issues or minor offenses. The program, led by Sergeant S. Bradshaw, provides voluntary supervision, counseling sessions, and home/school visits to support the rehabilitation of youth offenders. The scheme's success is evaluated through a tracer study and random sample analysis, indicating a positive impact on participants' subsequent convictions. Coordinated activities include support groups, outreach programs, and community engagement to create a growth-oriented environment for youth development. In line with its motto of "Listening, Understanding, and Sharing," the scheme strives to empower juveniles for a safer and brighter future.

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Youth Empowerment: Juvenile Liaison Scheme for a Safer Future

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  1. ROYAL BARBADOS POLICE FORCE TO SERVE, PROTECT AND REASSURE

  2. THE JUVENILE LIAISON SCHEME A PRIMARY DIVERSIONARYPROGRAMME Presented By: SGT. SEILEST BRADSHAW Juvenile Liaison Officer

  3. BACKGROUND • THE R.B.P.F. ESTABLISHED THE J.L.S IN 1983 • CONSULTATION WITH SOCIAL AGENCIES. • BASED ON STATISTICAL DATA SHOWING ALARMING INCREASES IN CRIMES COMMITTED BY JUVENILES. • PERSUASIONAL FACT: MANY OF THE ADULTS INVOLVED IN CRIME HAD A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT DURING ADOLESCENCE.

  4. STRUCTURE JUVENILE LIAISON COMMITTEE JUVENILE LIAISON OFFICE

  5. J. L. S. COMMITTEE • CHAIRMAN {Commissioner or Nominee} • LIAISON OFFICERS • WELFARE DEPARTMENT • CHILD CARE BOARD • PROBATION DEPARTMENT • MINISTRY OF EDUCATION • ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE • CLERGY

  6. JUVENILE LIAISON OFFICE • Head of Department • (Sergeant S. Bradshaw) • Three Constables • Two males • One female

  7. OBJECTIVES • To reduce juvenile delinquency. • To divert juvenile offenders from the rigorous and traumatic experiences of the Criminal Justice System. • To counsel juveniles, as well as their parents, who are considered to be at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity. • To provide voluntary supervision of Juveniles.

  8. IDENTIFICATION OF JUVENILE WHO CAN REFER ? • POLICE OFFICERS • BUSINESS COMMUNITY • SOCIAL AGENCIES • SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS • PARENTS • CONCERNED CITIZENS

  9. WHO IS REFERRED • (Juveniles 11- 16 years) • Juveniles who exhibit behavioural problem • Juveniles who have committed minor offences

  10. CRITERIA: • Provided that the aggrieved party has no objections and is in agreement. • Where it is a first offence • The Juvenile in the presence of the parent admits his/her wrongdoing and is willing to be a part of the programme. • Parents agree to have child/ward admitted

  11. ENGAGING THE CLIENT • On entering the scheme a juvenile is counselled and supervised for a period of six months. • Counselling sessions are between thirty forty-five minutes a week for the first four weeks. Assessment/ Plan Intervention

  12. ENGAGEMENT CONT’D • If the juvenile shows signs of improvement, visits may be adjusted to every two or three weeks as determined by the counsellor. • Home and school visits forms part of the ongoing assessment.  • At the end of the six months the J.L.S Management Committee makes a determination whether to administer the Police Caution or extend the counselling period

  13. POLICE CAUTION • Where a juvenile commits an offence subject to trial by a Magistrate. • The police may take the decision to caution the offender rather than prosecute. • First Offence, Circumstances

  14. SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME • TRACER STUDY 1998 • RANDOM SAMPLE { 1984 1987 1991} • 20% OF PARTICIPANTS OF EACH YEAR • Criminal Records Office (C.R.O.) of the R.B.P.F. was used for verification of subsequent convictions.

  15. PARTICIPANTS 1984 31 1987 24 1991 24 Total 79 Males 51 Females 28 56% referred for criminal offences 16% referred for status offences 28% for behavioural problems Study

  16. ADULT CONVICTION

  17. 5 Clients 1-3 yrs 7 Clients 4-7 yrs 3 Clients 8-11 yrs To February 1997 1984 22.6 % 1987 29 % 1991 7 % ELAPSED TIME

  18. IMPLICATIONS • Majority of offenders committed they first crime four (4) years after release from the programme. • Trends indicate that the further removed the clients are from the programme the more likely they are to commit criminal acts. • In Britain (Home Office Circular 14/1994) there was a 33% rate of subsequent convictions for similar Schemes.

  19. COORDINATED ACTIVITIES • AUXILLARY STAFF - Volunteers • SUPPORT GROUP - Parents • PROGRAMMES • CHRISTMAS • SCHOOL OUTREACH • SUMMER • INDEPENDENCE • GROWTH ORIENTED

  20. REMARKS

  21. Motto: LISTENING, UNDERSTANDING AND SHARING

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