By Val Matthias. Updated 10:58 a.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Deputy Prime Minister Major St. Clair Leacock has called for stronger rehabilitation programs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, arguing that offenders must be given meaningful opportunities to reintegrate into society “We cannot condemn people forever”
Speaking on NBC Radio’s Face to Face program, Leacock said punishment alone cannot solve crime. “We cannot continue to treat people as if once they have made a mistake, they are condemned forever,” he told listeners. “If we do not provide opportunities for rehabilitation, then we are simply recycling crime.”
Major Leacock stressed that many inmates leave prison without skills or support, making them vulnerable to reoffending. He said the government is reviewing measures to expand vocational training, counselling, and reintegration programs. “We must create pathways for people to return to society as productive citizens. That is how you reduce crime in the long term,” he added.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has faced longstanding challenges of overcrowding and limited resources in its prison system. Civil society groups have repeatedly urged authorities to prioritize rehabilitation alongside security.
Other Caribbean states have moved toward rehabilitation‑focused models. Barbados has expanded vocational training in prisons, while Trinidad and Tobago has introduced education programs aimed at reducing recidivism.
Major Leacock’s intervention signals a shift in tone from purely punitive approaches toward a “second chance” philosophy. By linking rehabilitation to crime reduction, he is positioning prison reform as part of the wider national security strategy. With the budget debate approaching, the public will be watching to see whether these commitments translate into funding for vocational training, counselling, and reintegration programs.
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