'Juvenile crime is indeed on the rise'
"Juvenile crime is indeed on the rise. The data from 2022 to 2025 will show you that,” Security and Justice Advisor, Mrs Olva McKenzie-Agard revealed. There were 4 juvenile-related crimes in 2022, ...
The data from 2022 to 2025 will show you that,” Security and Justice Advisor, Mrs Olva McKenzie-Agard revealed. There were 4 juvenile-related crimes in 2022, while so far in 2025, there were twenty. As it relates to gun crimes in 2022, there were 7, and as of mid-2025, there were 3. “It went down in 2025, as of mid-2025, but 100 per cent of those cases involved a firearm.” Mrs McKenzie-Agard also confirmed that incidents occurring within the school system that lead to suspensions are increasing.
She added that it must be noted that His Majesty’s Prison is overcrowded. “In fact, we have a 445 per 100,000 rate prison population. Naturally, as citizens, we are concerned.” She said in every society, the same thing is needed, and that is safety. “We want our families to be secure, to know that the neighbourhoods within which we live are safe; and when harm happens, we want it to be addressed.” Mrs McKenzie-Agard said some of the safest countries in the world have prison population rates that are much lower than the VI, though their population is higher, through restorative justice.
These countries have accomplished being safe and have a lower incarceration rate due to restorative justice. This, she said, is not a new term, although it may be new to some in the Territory, and there is a Restorative Justice Officer at the prison. The power of dialogue is used in restorative justice by bringing the victim, the offender and their communities together to seek to repair the harm caused. “Through this process, the victim is given a voice, the offender is held accountable, the harm is repaired, the community’s trust is rebuilt, and the offender is successfully reintegrated within the community.” Therefore, restorative justice is both a prevention mechanism and an intervention, Mrs McKenzie-Agard stated. “Restorative Justice is different, it asks you first what has happened, who has been hurt, what are their needs and whose obligation it is to meet those needs?” she explained.
This process has proven to be successful, Mrs McKenzie-Agard added, sharing that as it relates to education, a 2022 study showed that restorative justice programmes led to a 66 per cent reduction in suspensions. She also said that two studies, undertaken in 2019, showed a 67 per cent reduction in recidivism.
The three-day summit is being held under the theme ‘Our Virgin Island: Safe Communities, Prosperous Territory’ and will conclude today. This online news site is the sole property of and is operated by Advance Marketing and Professional Services dba Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in the Virgin Islands.
The content, which includes all articles, photographs, advertisements, bloggs and graphic images, are copyrighted by Virgin Islands News Online and/or the original copyright holder. It is therefore illegal to use, reproduce, rewrite, amend or plagiarise any items found on this online news site without the expressed permission of the Board of Directors or Management of VINO.
Failure to comply could lead to legal actions. © 2012 / All Rights Reserved.
Primary source: VINO