News
Young men on parole warn youngsters
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, August 25, 2022 – Three young men who have been released on parole after spending time in lockup have a word for their compatriots in The Turks and Caicos, “prison isn’t worth it”. But without targeted and consistent solutions to the issues pushing young men into crime, the warning will continue to miss its mark.
The young men spoke with Governor Nigel Dakin days before they were released, who in turn shared bits of the conversation with the public.
“All of them said that their advice to any young man would be to walk away from trouble – time at the prison was simply not worth it. It was tough.” Dakin explained.
The young men’s warnings are not unfounded as the majority of individuals arrested for violent crimes in the Turks and Caicos this past year have been young men. Additionally, the majority of people killed in violent altercations this year have also been young men.
It’s a worrying trend that Police Commissioner Trevor Botting, Premier Washington Misick and the Governor have all spoken about at length.
The three young men who are now out on parole, had to go through an extensive process to prove their intent to
rejoin society would not leave the Turks and Caicos worse off.
Dakin explained that the process of being approved for parole was one of “consistent good behavior and investment in themselves.” He said that all the young men have “held positions of responsibility and trust in the prison and some have been on day release.”
The men must be lauded for their admirable efforts, and while there are numerous projects now underway for those in correctional facilities to turn themselves around, not everyone will make it to prison.
Some will be killed by rivals, others in altercations with police, and some as innocents in crossfire.
Scores of college-age young men are arrested in the Turks and Caicos each year, in August alone, two have been arrested for drug and gun possession in separate incidents. Another young man was shot and injured in what is being described as a case of mistaken identity, and unlicensed guns keep turning up in our youth’s possession.
These hard truths and the journey of the three young men highlights the sore lack of intervention programs aimed at catching young men as boys before they enter the stage where they must be dealt with by the law.
The recently launched Police Action League is one such program, but it has been plagued with delays and is seasonal in nature. Deputy Police Commissioner Rodney Adams bemoaned the lack of intervention aimed at boys at the PAL launch.
“For too long we have gotten it wrong in law enforcement globally…in policing we have had a reactive approach for far too long…The reactive approach has not worked, and it will not work.” he said.
In addition, the issue is contributing to brain drain as many talented young people decide to leave to escape the violence.
Unless numerous opportunities and programs are aimed at the TCI’s young men in their impressionable years, there will continue to be more bloodshed.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
