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ROYAL BARBADOS POLICE FORCE. TO SERVE, PROTECT AND REASSURE. THE JUVENILE LIAISON SCHEME. A PRIMARY DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMME. Presented By: SGT. SEILEST BRADSHAW Juvenile Liaison Officer. BACKGROUND.
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ROYAL BARBADOS POLICE FORCE TO SERVE, PROTECT AND REASSURE
THE JUVENILE LIAISON SCHEME A PRIMARY DIVERSIONARYPROGRAMME Presented By: SGT. SEILEST BRADSHAW Juvenile Liaison Officer
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.
STRUCTURE JUVENILE LIAISON COMMITTEE JUVENILE LIAISON OFFICE
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
JUVENILE LIAISON OFFICE • Head of Department • (Sergeant S. Bradshaw) • Three Constables • Two males • One female
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.
IDENTIFICATION OF JUVENILE WHO CAN REFER ? • POLICE OFFICERS • BUSINESS COMMUNITY • SOCIAL AGENCIES • SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS • PARENTS • CONCERNED CITIZENS
WHO IS REFERRED • (Juveniles 11- 16 years) • Juveniles who exhibit behavioural problem • Juveniles who have committed minor offences
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
COORDINATED ACTIVITIES • AUXILLARY STAFF - Volunteers • SUPPORT GROUP - Parents • PROGRAMMES • CHRISTMAS • SCHOOL OUTREACH • SUMMER • INDEPENDENCE • GROWTH ORIENTED
Motto: LISTENING, UNDERSTANDING AND SHARING