Every government in recent times has highlighted the importance of social intervention programmes for crime control and reduction outcomes. And they have done so despite the known weaknesses in the existing projects and programmes. They understand that we must learn from our mistakes and seek to do better. This is why the National Violence Prevention Commission was established by the present administration.
And yet, a recent CAPRI report recommends that social interventions aimed at behaviour modification be deprioritised in favour of territorial control and land tenor regularization. However, we should not fall into trap of oversimplification. More rigorous evidence and deeper review of international and Jamaican experience is necessary.
Before accepting it’s broad policy recommendations, there is need for a careful review of the study limitations and evidence overlooked. The report makes sweeping claims about the nature of gangs and organized crime in Jamaica, while, by their own admission, was “unable to access detailed data on gangs, such as number of gangs, their membership size and locations”. Such an analysis would be crucial to support or counter the policy recommendations suggested. The report claims that the experience with land tenure projects in Peru during the administration of Alberto Fujimori from 2000-2010 supports its argument. Howeover, the case study presented on land reform in Peru was a designed and evaluated as a poverty reduction programme and not a crime reduction programme. There is no rigorous evidence of its impact on violence. There was no review of challenges faced and effectiveness of other large-scale land reform efforts in Jamaica, such as Operation Pride and LAMP. Nor was any cost-benefit analysis presented of both local and international programmes.
The suggestion that resources be diverted from social interventions to land reform must be examined. According to the report’s own sources, 90% of JSIF expenditure in the ZOSOs has gone into infrastructure-related activities versus 10% to behaviour change type social interventions. This small amount dedicated to social programmes in the ZOSOs, further pales in comparison to the J$ 133.8 billion budget for Ministry of National Security in the 2024/25 budget. Suggesting that the already miniscule amount dedicated to social interventions and behaviour change be diverted to land reform requires a major review of costs and expenditures required for both.
While territorial control and land tenure have an important role to play, not all social violence prevention intervention can be reduced to “behaviour modification”. Further social prevention is a critical ingredient to addressing the problem. There are seven evidence-based strategies proven to reduce violence based on decades of research around the world. These are outlined in the INSPIRE framework backed by WHO/PAHO, World Bank, CDC, UNICEF, UNODC and others. Jamaica has been integrally involved in defining the framework and supportive evidence. The INSPIRE seven strategies for ending violence include: 1) Law Implementation and Enforcement; 2) Norms and Values; 3) Safe Environments; 4) Parent and Caregiver Support; 5) Income and Economic Strengthening; 6) Response and Support Services; and 7) Education and Life Skills. All seven are critical and underpinned by multiagency coordination with strong Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). For each strategy there are defined types of interventions with a strong evidence-base that can work in Jamaica where properly resourced and supported. The INSPIRE package provides information that is data-driven and action-focused on what works to drive this change.
The evidence is clear that nationally led, multidisciplinary action is necessary to catalyse sustained interventions and reduce violence over time. Jamaica has Plan Secure and has started this coordinated approach with the Citizen Security Plan (CSP). The CSP works across 10 government agencies. The Consensus on Crime 2024 provides a bipartisan framework for monitoring progress.
Importantly, gang activities emerge from the community and are embedded within them. That is why communities need to be strengthened to drive sustainable change. We have learnt that outreach workers who are trusted messengers can reduce gun violence and help divert young people from joining gangs. Success is possible where communities are provided with strategic interventions (i.e. hot spot policing, focused deterrence), resources and support from bold leaders.
Security forces and social interventions need to work together. Rigorous evidence and lessons learned must be the foundation for policy moving forward. We look forward to the report of the National Violence Prevention Commission to guide the coordinated evidence-based response.
Dr Elizabeth Ward OD
Medical Epidemiologist
Professor of Practise UWI Mona
Chair of the Violence Prevention Alliance Jamaica
Member of the INSPIRE Technical Working Group
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