The Tribune

AS PART of the Ministry of National Security’s shock treatment programme, a group of 22 at-risk boys have been exposed to several disciplines while touring the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

“To see the amount of young people in prison isn’t thrilling. If we don’t save them now, we’ll have to manage them later,” said the programme’s director, Pastor Carlos Reid.

The boys, aged 11 to 17, are among the first to participate in the intervention programme which will see a new installment of vulnerable young males on a monthly basis.

Shock treatment allows them to experience first-hand the consequences of deviant behaviour. Over the course of the three-day intensive programme, the young men visit the prison, morgue and a graveyard. However, there will be further training over the next two years. The boys will also be monitored, evaluated and if necessary, intervention will be required. Ultimately, the programme provides them with positive alternatives.

“One of the objectives is to place them in a position to make positive choices. We want to expose them to different disciplines,” said Pastor Reid.

Minister of National Security, Dr Bernard Nottage, who has introduced the scheme, said that it was important to introduce the boys to some of the programs at BTVI in an effort to expose them to the benefits of acquiring a skill.