The Caribbean Association of Probation and Parole (CAPP), met in Saint Lucia for a two-day conference that aims to strengthen justice systems and enhance safety in the region.

Representatives from eight Caribbean islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, convened to discuss the theme “Exploring Evidence-Based Practices for Sex Offender Management and Working with Gang-Involved Clients.”

The conference featured several regional and international  experts leading discussions on pressing topics.

Key areas included navigating criminal justice challenges, addressing sexual offenses amid concerning data trends, and connecting mediation, crime reduction, and probation and parole services through best practices.

Chairperson Emeritus of CAPP and Director of Probation and Parole Services in Saint Lucia, Mr. Cuthbert Henry, highlighted the association’s journey, noting that CAPP continues to address issues that were previously overlooked, paving the way for a new era in probation and parole services throughout the Caribbean.

“So too must we grow CAPP from the ground up, (0:04) building technical capacity, leadership acumen, (0:07) political acuity, inclusivity, (0:10) no big island or small island syndrome, (0:14) fairness, integrity, and most of all community. (0:18) A community of experts, (0:19) our governments can trust to guide on primary, secondary, (0:25) and tertiary crime prevention, (0:26) underpinned by evidence-based practices that work.”

The September 4 conference reinforced the importance of regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and finding innovative solutions to crime.