Dear Editor,
Many of the blue collar criminals in Guyana are willing to forgo their criminal behaviours and work. I know this because I speak with them and – when I can afford it – I employ them. A few of them are currently working on our Behaviour Modification Facility on the Linden Highway.

I am very optimistic for the future of Guyana in this regard. All the politicians need to do is put policies in place to get the monies, consistently, down to the ‘average’ persons. Ways of doing this are in massive infrastructural projects, beautification initiatives, agricultural drives, etc. Many of the blue collar criminals are both vocationally and academically challenged.

What is needed for them, are consistent ways of gainfully employment, so they can meet their financial obligations. The prison system needs to be upgraded to be more focused on rehabilitation rather than simply, incarceration.

Investments need to be made in half-way house facilities (for those returning from incarceration and seeking to be successfully reintegrated to the society). There also needs to be a judicial formalising of the alternative sentencing, restorative justice and incarceration diversion programmes.

These are some of the major initiatives which can be put in place in short order. If done correctly, we will drastically reduce Guyana’s crime and recidivism rates. So, yes, I am very optimistic of Guyana’s ability to significantly reduce our crime situation, except that the politicians have to want this to happen.

Regards,
Wendell Jeffrey