“These are young people who made mistakes that aren't that different than the mistakes I made and the mistakes that a lot of you guys made. What distinguishes many convicts is a lack of support and second chances.” Barack Obama Not too long a time ago, the 2011 “Brown v. Plata” sharply split 5:4 the US Supreme Court, when it affirmed a lower court case ruling that the … [Read more...] about How the Bahamas is Addressing the Country’s Incarceration Rate
crime policy
In Bogotá, fear does not match the numbers
by Guest blogger, Pablo Bachelet and Martín Ardanaz Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Author, Tequendamia For the majority of people in Latin America and the Caribbean, perceptions of crime are in line with the sad reality of a region lashed by high rates of robberies and homicides. But in Bogotá, there's a paradox. On the one hand, the city has seen … [Read more...] about In Bogotá, fear does not match the numbers
Empowering communities helps reducing crime in Trinidad and Tobago
by Dana King Awareness campaign to fight crime in Trinidad and Tobago Betheem Gardens is a low-income neighborhood and crime “hotspot” that sits on the outskirts of Port of Spain and runs alongside the East/West corridor highway and Trinidad’s largest landfill. For those that live in this community, the stigma associated with the neighborhood can be as potent as the … [Read more...] about Empowering communities helps reducing crime in Trinidad and Tobago
Controversial Tactics
Imagine that you're walking calmly down a street with your partner one night. Suddenly, and without any reason at all, the police stop you, question you and carry out a full body search of you and your partner. That seems too intrusive, no? That is what's called “stop and frisk,” an aggressive search that is one of the more controversial tactics used by police … [Read more...] about Controversial Tactics
Five elements of a true community police force
The tragic events in Ferguson have placed police practices at the center of a debate in the United States over their model and whether the police have become too militarized. In fact, the White House is seeking to promote community policing tactics and President Obama has created a special commission to make recommendations for a 21st Century police force. The same … [Read more...] about Five elements of a true community police force