EDLS WORKS WITH YOUTH ON CRIME PREVENTION

Throughout the term, Senior Tutor H. Patrick Wells mentored C. C. Sweeting Senior High School students in a crime prevention community outreach programme. The project was a collaboration between the Pan-American Development Foundation and the Eugene Dupuch Law School.

“The goal was experiential learning about the criminal justice system in order to enhance crime prevention among at-risk youth in The Bahamas. It involved us training the students for a period of six weeks, culminating in the moot on the 13th November 2015, held at the Performing Arts Theatre at College of The Bahamas,” stated Mr. Wells.

Under his guidance the students presented the case of The Queen v. Dexter Wilson, indicted on a charge of Robbery with Violence. At the end of the trial, Mr. Wilson was convicted by the student jury and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Court. Magistrate Constance Delancey presided over the mock trial.

Principal of the Law School, Tonya Bastian Galanis commented on the impact of the programme. “This has presented us with an incredible opportunity to engage and inspire our youth. A tremendous amount of learning took place, and it is these kind of activities that will make a difference in our communities. We have inspired the students to think about the consequences of their actions and perhaps some of them may become community advocates or join the legal profession.”

The event was attended by students from four schools in the Oakes Field area.