More than 5,000 Youth Benefit from CSJP III

More than 5,000 persons have benefited from the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III since its implementation in 2014.

Of the number, over 2,000 were deemed to be at medium or high risk for involvement in crime and violence.

Counselling services were provided for 1,000 persons; 404 received vocational skills training; 226 benefited from employment internships; and another 158 have been permanently employed.

In addition, approximately 426 students have received tuition assistance – 147, tertiary and 279, secondary.

Communication/Social Marketing Coordinator at CSJP, Patrice Nephew, said that the services provided seek to facilitate the holistic development of vulnerable persons, as part of the CSJP programme of crime prevention.

“A youngster is not just a beneficiary of a particular service only but the CSJP looks at the total being, as one who needs a series of treatment to aid them in their personal fight against crime,” she said.

She was speaking at a Think Tank at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) head office in Kingston on Wednesday (June 28).

Some of CJSP’s approaches include case management, counselling, community justice services, monitoring and evaluation and the employment internship programme.

A major achievement of the CSJP III is the placement of beneficiaries with some of its partner entities.

Over 400 young people have interned with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) with seven being recruited, while several persons have joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as District Constables.

Another 19 have been employed to the Shipping Association of Jamaica; persons have been placed at the Marriott and Jewel Resorts; and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company has employed and trained beneficiaries as linesmen and metre readers.

Mrs. Nephew is calling for more employers to come on board to provide opportunities for these vulnerable youth.

“In order to make a difference in crime and violence in our country, we need to call on the public and private sectors to open their doors to these youngsters, especially those who have been through programmes such as the CSJP. Once these youngsters are out there, having completed any of our training programmes they would have been many steps closer to being productive citizens, who are now part of the solution instead of the problem in our society,” she pointed out.

Since the inception of the CSJP in 2001, over 20,000 youth have benefitted from the services of the programme.

CSJP III is a multifaceted crime prevention programme of the Ministry of National Security implemented in 50 communities across eight parishes.

It focuses on treating with the root causes of violent behaviour among youth by providing a suite of services aimed at reducing their risk of being involved in crime and violence and increase their ability to become productive citizens.

It is funded by the Government of Jamaica, the Inter-American Development Bank, Global Affairs Canada and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development.

Phase three, which is the final phase of the programme, will end in 2019.