For the last few days, I haven’t been able to move away from crime, this time it’s to do with an overseas survey…

The International Centre for Prisons Studies at King’s College in London says the Caribbean remains one of the highest prison population rates in the world…

As for Barbados we unfortunately have made the Top Twenty – “The Caribbean dominates the top 20, with 12 nations plus Bermuda featuring.

“St. Kitts and Nevis is third globally with 547 prisoners per 100,000 people.

“The US Virgin islands is fourth overall.

“Also in the top 20 are Belize, Cuba, the British Virgin islands, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Dominica, Barbados, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico and Suriname.”

Anton Schelupanov, a research associate at King’s College, suggested Caribbean territories should consider less costly alternative punishment such as community time.

The BBC report did not say if this idea was being guided towards capital crimes, as that would be as ridiculous as the way Broadmoor inmates are being pampered!

Nevertheless, there was one surprising factor in the inmate study regarding Caribbean figures – “Haiti has the distinction of having by far the lowest prison population rate in the region — a mere 43 inmates for every 100,000 people.”

Also amazing, was the fact there are Caricom members who fall outside of the top 50, and these are – Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Perhaps it is not so profound, as these territories have the potential to reach a final solution before accomplishing a penal solution!