Mentor boys as part of crime fight - Reece

A respected clergyman has called for the nation to focus on the socialisation of boys as part of the strategy to tame the chronic crime problem.

Donald J. Reece, archbishop emeritus, says, "Nurturing and mentoring are sorely needed, if not in the homes, then in a secondary institution".

Reece pointed to a story in The Gleaner on Monday that examined the struggles of a mother with her 17-year-old son who begged for the State to intervene.

"This mother's plea is not singular," said Reece, who is the acting pastor at St Richard's Catholic Church.

"Here is one of the roots of the social problems we face in our nation."

In an article for The Gleaner, he said: "The needs of this 17-year-old young man should have been addressed long ago. Evidently, he cannot remain in the traditional school system, for he will disrupt the class, if not the entire school. We are invited by this phenomenon to think outside the box. The Ministry of Education needs to think seriously about the building of residential primary and high schools for boys."