Students lock-downed – ‘Prison, No Way Bobo!’
(CNS): The Youth Anti-Crime and Trust (ACT) is implementing a “Cayman” version of the UK programme “Prison, Me No Way” called Youth Crime Prevention Day. This is a prevention programme providing young people with the information needed to make positive decisions while addressing the causes, consequences and penalties of crime. This programme took place at the Family Life Centre for almost 200 Year 8 students from John Gray on Friday 7 November between 8:00am and 3:00pm. The theme was “Loss of Freedom” as all of students were subjected to a mock prison setting. It was a full day of 30 minute workshops under strict supervision by the RCIPS, where topics of gangs, sexual abuse, social responsibility and more were addressed.
The students were on “lock down” throughout the day and treated as if they were prisoners, with a police escort to take them to and from each scheduled workshop. In each workshop there were different presenters with expertise in criminal justice and health services, including a drug counsellor, a crisis intervention therapist, police officers, and a registered nurse and STI/HIV programme coordinator. These presenters spoke on topics ranging from guns and gun crime to the effects of drugs and alcohol and life in prison.
During the break where students were allowed to snack, a documentary of George Roper, a prisoner residing in Northward was shown. Roper informed the students of the circumstance in which he lives, the food he eats, along with the freedom and leisure that he does not have. Roper compared for the students the life that he once had with the ‘loss of freedom’ that he now bears. The contrast brought some students to the realization that a life of crime was not for them. The aim of the video was to change the perception of Cayman’s prison being a place that is ‘fun’, where prisoners can watch television and do as they please.
At the end of the day, the young people were given a “give-away” bag, which contained a water bottle, wrist band, magnet, and cell phone holder, so when used by the students can reinforce the message of the day.
Bonnie Anglin, Chairperson of ACT stated, “This day is a minor step in addressing recidivism and behavioural issues that can lead to criminality, but we cannot do it alone. Support is needed from our community.”
With sponsorship and support from Appleby, Rotary Central, and CNB, the ACT’s Youth Crime Prevention Day is sure to be a big step in helping youths to make better decisions and avoiding even the thought of prison.
Category: Local News
Abortion, sterilization and deportation….
On a serious note increase the education standards and demands. These children leave school and cannot read, write, and spell. There is no awareness of proper etiquette, work behaviours/etiquette, basic phone skills, customer service skills. These should be taught from primary school level.
Go to Northward on any visiting day and see the kids there to visit Daddy. It will break your heart to see the normalization of such a tragic lifestyle.
Yep, even babies in the visiting room. But yet when I suggested years ago that we have a "scared straight" program that has kids speak with real, locked up criminals, the reply I got was "we cannot expose the children to such an environment" and yadda yadda, yadda – maybe I should forward that email reply to CNS…
CNS Note: Yes you should…wendyledger@caymannewsservice.com.
How about permitting abortions? A far more effective long term crime reduction strategy.
Oh no. You have just unleashed the God brigade.
I hope this works better than the "electronic babies" in the Child Development class!!! Children know these drills are just "drills" – hopefully it will work for some, but at least 1/4ths of my high school graduation year got pregnant under 20 years old, so much for the crying, wailing, fake pamper changing electronic baby deterant we carried home for one week!
Kids need the straight up facts and how to get and use what's available to prevent pregnancy, std's, sti's and aids. They do not need to carry around pretend dolls.
Kids are smart and observant. Take them to the real prison and show them how bad it is.
If they went to Northward, there would be no discouragement at all.
They have it better in F-Wing than I did at the boarding school I was sent to for 6yrs which my parents took 6 bank loans out for me to attend.
Great idea. Maybe this program should be rolled out at <ahem> other district schools too, and perhaps be aimed at a younger target audience. I imagine most occupants of HM Northward went socially off the rails long before grade 8. Some may not have attended their full grade 8 year.
Waste of time. Just forbid certain people from breeding.
Yeah, that'll work…
True.
Such as hooligans, bigots, Nazis, drug dealers, loan sharks etc…