The stigma that was once associated with going to prison is no longer a deterrent to crime says Acting Superintendent of Prisons, DeCarlo Payne.
Payne said what was once seen as a mark of shame is now, in some cases, perceived as a “badge of honour” among certain segments of society, challenging the effectiveness of the prison system in discouraging criminal behaviour.
He explained that while the loss of freedom remained a significant aspect of the prison’s deterrent function, broader societal changes necessitated a more comprehensive approach to crime prevention.
Payne noted that traditionally, incarceration was viewed as a severe consequence, one that carried a significant social stigma. The shame associated with being sent to prison, he added, discouraged individuals from engaging in criminal activities. However, Payne said this stigma had significantly eroded over time, particularly among younger generations and certain social groups.
Glorification
“The stigma that was once attached with somebody going to prison seems to no longer be as impactful as before. It’s important to understand that this shift has been influenced by several factors, including the way crime and incarceration are portrayed in popular media, as well as the glorification of criminal behaviour in some communities.
“The result is that the prison system’s ability to deter crime purely through the threat of incarceration has been weakened. What was once a mark of shame is now, in certain circles, viewed as a rite of passage, a badge of honour and this fundamentally alters the role of imprisonment in our society. The term ‘Jailbird’ has now been replaced by ‘Soldier’,” Payne lamented.
This phenomenon, Payne said, complicated the role of the prison system and required a more nuanced approach to criminal justice.
“We must acknowledge that this is not an issue confined to Barbados alone,” Payne said. “Around the world, we are seeing this troubling shift in how incarceration is perceived, particularly among the youth. Instead of being a deterrent, prison is increasingly viewed as a way to gain respect or status within certain groups. This is why we need to approach crime prevention in a much more holistic manner— one that goes beyond simply locking people away,” he added.
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