Independent writer
A Second Chance Through Service: Is the TCI Regiment an Untapped Tool for Rehabilitation?
Ed Forbes
Turks and Caicos, September 3, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment may be one of the most underutilized national assets in our fight against some of the social problems facing the Territory.
Established in 2020 with the support of then-Governor Nigel Dakin and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, the Regiment was created
But its role could potentially extend beyond traditional military responsibilities.
The qualities required of Regiment members—discipline, responsibility, teamwork, resilience and a sense of purpose—are also qualities that many troubled young people and individuals preparing to return to society after incarceration desperately need.
So perhaps it is time to ask: Could the TCI Regiment become part of our strategy for rehabilitation and reintegration?
We cannot arrest our way out of rising concerns about youth delinquency, gang recruitment and violent crime. Young people without employment, structure, opportunity or a sense of belonging can become vulnerable to gangs offering money, identity and acceptance.
For a young person who commits a relatively minor, non-violent offence, should incarceration always be the answer? Where legally appropriate and following proper risk assessment, could accountability sometimes be combined with an opportunity to change direction
That is where the Regiment could potentially play a role.
This should not mean turning the Regiment into a prison or creating a military “boot camp for bad kids.” Military-style boot camps alone have not been shown to reliably reduce reoffending. Discipline works best when combined with education, counselling, vocational training, mentoring and employment opportunities.
Rehabilitation Before Release:
The TCI already has the beginnings of a framework that could support such an initiative.
In February 2026, the Government announced the completion of its Parole Board Modernisation Project, designed to strengthen parole decision-making while supporting rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community.
Rather than creating another standalone programme, Government could explore incorporating a Regiment-supported service component
Imagine an inmate approaching the end of a sentence who has demonstrated good behaviour and is assessed as suitable for supervised reintegration.
Instead of simply opening the prison gate and expecting that person to succeed, preparation could begin months before release.
A structured programme could include physical training, discipline, leadership development, community service, vocational training and mentoring. Participants could assist with approved community projects, environmental restoration and disaster-preparedness activities while developing practical skills and a responsible daily routine.
The programme could continue for six to twelve months after release, with regular check-ins, employment assistance and clearly defined responsibilities.
The Regiment would not replace corrections, probation, counselling or other professionals. It would add another ingredient: service and accountability.
A Second Chance—With Responsibility
This is not about being soft on crime. It is about being smarter about rehabilitation.
Participants would have to show up, follow rules, complete training and demonstrate that they are prepared to accept responsibility for their future. Successful completion could become part of demonstrating readiness for full reintegration.
Employment would also be critical. Local businesses could provide apprenticeships, internships and second-chance employment.
Because rehabilitation without employment is incomplete.
The same philosophy could potentially apply to troubled youth. The Government is preparing to open a Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility for Boys later this year, with a focus on accountability, education, personal growth, family engagement and reintegration.
The Regiment should not replace the professionals responsible for juvenile rehabilitation, but its expertise in discipline, leadership, teamwork and service could become one component of a broader model.
Protecting the Future:
The objective should be simple: Stop creating tomorrow’s prisoners today.
If we can reach a teenager before gang recruitment becomes a way of life, we should.
If we can hold a young offender accountable without placing them in an environment that increases the likelihood of further offending, we should consider it.
And if someone has served their sentence, we should give them more than a release date and some cash. We should give them a plan, which could help reduce recidivism.
That plan could include housing, employment, education, counseling, family support, mentoring—and, where appropriate, structured service supported by the TCI Regiment.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is small enough that government agencies, the Regiment, schools, employers, courts, probation services and community organizations can work together.
The Regiment was created to protect the Turks and Caicos Islands. Protecting these islands should mean more than protecting our borders.
It should also mean protecting our communities, protecting vulnerable young people from gang recruitment and helping former offenders become productive members of society.
A prison sentence should not be our only answer to youthful mistakes, and the prison gate should not mark the end of rehabilitation. We must think much bigger.
The TCI Regiment has truly demonstrated its value in national defence, border protection and disaster response.
Perhaps it is time to explore whether its greatest contribution could extend even further:
Keep the service, but expand the mission, while helping to defend the future of the people it was created to serve.
PHOTO: FILE PHOTO