Chang: Gov’t’s youth social intervention programmes have been effective

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, says the Government has initiated social intervention programmes that have been very effective in saving young lives and will continue to be used in the fight against crime.

Dr Chang, who was speaking with reporters following the recent handover of back-to-school items at the Flanker Community Centre in St James, said it is against this background that the Government is actively working to reduce youth criminality by streamlining and enhancing social intervention programmes.

He expressed concern over the high number of young males currently residing in Jamaica’s four juvenile correctional facilities, noting that a significant percentage of those serving non-custodial probation orders are young boys who are in urgent need of targeted intervention.

“It is bothersome to see so many boys in correctional centres. The Government recognises that a large segment of our youth population is at risk, and we must take collective action to address this issue,” the minister stated.

He said the administration, in response, will be adopting an “all-of-Government approach”, aimed at strengthening public institutions and creating community-specific programmes that are relevant and transformative.

Dr Chang, who is also Member of Parliament for St James North Western, indicated that these include developing and expanding human capital and social development programmes specifically designed to target at-risk youth.

“As the country continues to grapple with youth crime, the Government’s initiatives signal a proactive stance in addressing the root causes and providing support to those in need. Through these efforts, we hope to create a more resilient and law-abiding generation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Chang said more than 100 police officers are now being trained as resource officers, specifically equipped to deal with dispute resolution, for deployment to schools islandwide.

“There are several schools we have identified that have challenges with gang members. We are working with all of them to reduce any risk to the students and teachers,” Dr Chang pointed out.

Students attending the handover event were presented with books, bags, uniforms and shoes, among other supplies, and received free medical checks.

This gesture formed part of the National Security Ministry’s Violence Risk Reduction Programme.

“We are equipping students for success through the targeted Violence Risk Reduction Programme. We selected … students in St James North Western … who did not do well enough to be placed in high schools of their first choice,” Dr Chang pointed out, adding that they were provided with assistance “as a form of encouragement”.