Early intervention key to tackling crime, says counsellor

Early intervention must be placed at the centre of Barbados’ crime prevention strategy, a youth counsellor has said, backing recent remarks by Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley.

Chief executive officer of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, Shawn Clarke, praised the minister’s comments on the importance of addressing social issues early, arguing that such an approach reflects longstanding realities observed by professionals working with young people.

Clarke said the minister’s observations reflect a reality that many professionals working with children and young people have witnessed for years.

“Crime prevention does not begin when a young person enters the criminal justice system. It begins much earlier, often when the first signs of behavioural, emotional, social or academic difficulties emerge. If we are serious about reducing crime in Barbados, we must become equally serious about identifying and addressing those warning signs early,” he stated.

The youth counsellor noted that many young people who eventually come into conflict with the law often display indicators years beforehand, including chronic behavioural challenges, aggression, poor emotional regulation, substance use, disengagement from school, unresolved trauma, family instability, and exposure to violence.

“The challenge is that too many of these young people fall through the cracks before meaningful intervention occurs. By the time they appear before the courts, many opportunities to redirect their lives may already have been missed,” he said.

Early intervention should be viewed not merely as a social service but as a national investment, said Clarke.

“Effective early intervention reduces far more than crime. It can improve school attendance, strengthen academic performance, reduce suspensions and expulsions, improve mental health outcomes, strengthen family functioning, and increase the likelihood that young people become productive contributors to society.”

He added that while legislative measures remain important, long-term success in reducing violence and gang involvement will require equal emphasis on prevention.

“Strong laws are necessary. However, the greatest return on investment will always come from preventing young people from entering the criminal justice system in the first place. Every child successfully redirected represents a future victim prevented, a future offender avoided, and a stronger Barbados.”

Clarke further stressed that intervention should not focus solely on correcting negative behaviour but on building positive outcomes.

“Early intervention is not simply about identifying problems. It is about identifying potential. It is about helping young people discover their strengths, build resilience, develop healthy coping skills, and create positive pathways for their future.”

Pointing out that Supreme Counselling for Personal Development has advocated for and implemented early intervention initiatives within schools and communities across Barbados for over 15 years, he noted that the organisation’s recently revamped programme framework continues to place prevention, emotional development, behavioural support, counselling, mentoring, and bullying prevention at the centre of its work.

“The conversation initiated by Minister Lashley is an important one. Barbados has an opportunity to strengthen its focus on early intervention as a central pillar of national crime prevention. The benefits would extend beyond crime reduction to stronger families, safer schools, healthier communities, and a more secure future for our nation.

“Preventing one young person from entering the criminal justice system is important. Creating systems that help hundreds avoid that pathway altogether is transformational.”

 

(PR)