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“[…] Arresting and imprisoning individuals removes them from society, preventing them from committing more crimes while incarcerated. But there are hundreds more to take their place, who are likely to never face arrest or imprisonment.
“Research shows that while punitive measures can temporarily reduce crime, they often fail to address underlying causes, leading to recidivism…”
The following Letter to the Editor on Trinidad and Tobago’s need for balanced crime-fighting policies was submitted to Wired868 by Orson Rogers of Belmont:
As we enter a New Year, the time has come to evaluate seriously the success or lack thereof of the crime-fighting policies in Trinidad and Tobago.
The approach of arrest more, prosecute more, sentence more as a solution to violent crime is an opinion held by many in our country. It has become a political football with each party/ group/ individual seeking to outdo the other with ever increasing “I am tougher on crime” rhetoric.
While increasing enforcement and punishment can have short-term effects, the long-term success of this strategy depends on several factors. It is time that the principals involved take a more balanced view and approach.
(via Newsday.co.tt)
Tougher laws and stricter enforcement may deter individuals from committing crimes due to the fear of severe consequences. In Trinidad and Tobago, this has been proven to be as ineffective as the recommended prayer solution by the CoP—as those bent on crime know there is little chance of being apprehended and even less of facing tough sentences.
Arresting and imprisoning individuals removes them from society, preventing them from committing more crimes while incarcerated. But there are hundreds more to take their place, who are likely to never face arrest or imprisonment.
Research shows that while punitive measures can temporarily reduce crime, they often fail to address underlying causes, leading to recidivism. Poverty, lack of education, unemployment, substance abuse, and systemic inequality are significant contributors to violent crime. These remain unaddressed in a punitive-only approach.
In addition, increased arrests and sentences can lead to overburdened prison systems without necessarily rehabilitating offenders. Higher rates of incarceration are expensive for taxpayers, potentially diverting resources from prevention programs.
And most importantly, over-policing and punitive measures often disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.
While prosecution and sentencing can provide closure and a sense of justice to victims and their families, it seems that its greatest value to the principals is the hope that an increase in enforcement can reassure the public that authorities are taking crime seriously.
Photo: TTPS
A Balanced View and Approach would encompass:
- Community-Based Prevention: Programs addressing poverty, education, mental health, and substance abuse can reduce the root causes of crime.
- Restorative Justice: Focusing on rehabilitation and reconciliation rather than punishment alone.
- Police Reform: Building trust between law enforcement and communities can lead to better cooperation and crime prevention.
- Targeted Policing: Prioritising serious offenders (not only those in Beetham, Lavantille, Enterprise, etc) while avoiding blanket policies that can harm entire communities.
While arrest more, prosecute more, sentence more may yield immediate results in curbing violent crime, it is not a comprehensive or sustainable solution.
Addressing the root causes of crime, investing in communities (not highways and grand edifices or self-serving organisations), and focusing on rehabilitation are crucial for long-term safety and justice.
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We may not be able to arrest ourselves out of our problems but a more efficient/conscientious Police service (one equipped with the tools (inclusive of forensic science) to fight crime. Don’t forget the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring the society is safe from those hell bent on causing harm and destruction (one that maybe doesn’t see crime as a means of enrichment). A group that always somehow manages to fly under the radar when crime is being discussed. Maybe if criminals and would be criminals see the likelihood of jail in their future that may stem the tide of criminality in the country. Whats up with this idea of persons on murder charges being able to apply for bail and the possibility of these person being released back into the community to co-exist with witnesses and the victims families. Without the possibility of bail witnesses were being picked off at will. So exactly what are we trying to achieve here. Many of these may go some distance in curbing/outright deterring criminal behaviour. As of now the public had grown tired of the ole talk and they want action i.e SOE, arresting people…..anything to ease citizens fears
President Bukele of El Salvador actually did prove that you can arrest your way out of being the murder capital of the world into being safer than Canada but you have to arrest all of the criminals quickly and not just a trickle here and there over time, and quite frankly Trinidad and Tobago should do it too. We should stop this ridiculous reluctance to act because of political expediency, rich vs poor, skin colour, religion, how it would look internationally or whatever it is that is holding us back from taking back our country from these characters. Trinidad and Tobago could be fixed in 10years but only if we remove all the criminals almost overnight, with them free we might as well wait 100 years and after 100 we will wonder why we have 1000 murders instead of 600 a year. How many state of emergencies between now and the next 100years? If the last 5 decades tell us anything it will be atleast 6. What kind of crisis will TT face in the future that could be prevented if we act now. We are responsible for the future of this country one way or the other and we should act now to make it a good future. Let’s turn the story of this great land Trinidad and Tobago into a happy story for the law abiding citizens who contribute positively to society.
On a normal day if 1 man does a robbery the Police should arrest 1 man, if 10 men do a robbery the Police should arrest 10 men, if 100 men do a robbery then the Police should arrest 100 men of course all done based on where their investigation leads them. The arrests are connected to crimes committed for which suspects are sought by the Police. Every person has a choice to make, you can be part of the problem or part of the solution. Social programs, good education, job opportunities etc. are necessary whether we have a crime problem or not. The state must never allow crime hot spots to be places where members of the public cannot walk and be safe, the state must make it safe, if that means SOE then so be it, if that means Soldiers permanently stationed there then so be it, but to allow gangs to be in control is absolutely not acceptable.