BARBADOS-Government moves to criminalize gang membership under new law.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Mia Mottley administration on Friday introduced sweeping anti-gang legislation in Parliament, aimed at curbing gun violence and dismantling organized criminal networks.

The Criminal Gangs (Prevention and Control) Bill was tabled in the House of Assembly by Minister of Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice Michael Lashley, who said it responds to rising violence involving young people and draws on regional models and consultations with legal stakeholders, including the Bar Association.

He said the bill fills a gap in existing law by creating specific offenses for gang-related conduct that are not currently captured under traditional charges such as conspiracy or murder.

Research from the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, including findings from Dodds Prison, informed the legislation. Lashley said interviews with inmates and remandees pointed to early exposure to gangs and criminal activity from a young age.

The minister said the initiative forms part of a wider regional effort to tackle organized crime across the Caribbean.

On safeguards, Lashley stressed that residence or social background cannot be used as proof of gang involvement, and said the legislation is designed to target conduct, not geography or community identity.

He said the government is taking a firm stance on crime, with penalties intended not only to punish but to deter wider involvement in gangs and related activity.

“Crossing borders respectfully… So it will have to be a one Caribbean approach,” Lashley said, underscoring regional cooperation in tackling gang networks.

The bill also introduces a civil asset recovery mechanism to target wealth derived from gang activity, operating alongside existing proceeds-of-crime legislation.

Lashley said gangs often exploit vulnerable young people, particularly those facing unemployment, unstable family environments, substance abuse and poor educational outcomes. He stressed that early intervention is critical, as warning signs often emerge in childhood but go unaddressed.

He also urged a broader prevention strategy that includes victims and their families, noting that the impact of violent crime extends well beyond the accused.

Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams told the House that gang membership will soon be criminalized under the new law, warning of severe penalties and expanded enforcement powers.

“Jail, jail, jail is what awaits you if you belong to or associate with a gang,” he said, as he outlined what he described as a firm government stance.

Abrahams warned that even social media activity could be used as evidence of gang affiliation, including posts displaying gang signs or symbols.

He said cases would be tried in the High Court, with magistrates’ court bail excluded under the proposed framework.

“You can’t get magistrates’ court bail for this. This is like firearms. If you want bail in the High Court, you need to go to the High Court,” he said.

The Attorney General also outlined offenses covering recruitment, financing, concealment, obstruction of investigations, tipping off suspects and retaliation against informants, all carrying significant custodial sentences.

He added that recruiting children into gangs, particularly near schools and places of worship, would attract enhanced penalties.

While acknowledging government investment in youth programs, he said the legislation is intended as a deterrent and a clear warning to those involved in gangs or considering joining them.

During his contribution to the debate, Minister of Labor Colin Jordan said gang activity continues to have wide-ranging social consequences, affecting families, communities and public services.

He said households linked to offenders often live under constant fear and instability, while entire communities experience reduced safety and disruption to daily life.

Jordan also highlighted pressure on the healthcare system, noting that emergency facilities are frequently required to treat violent injuries under tense conditions, sometimes alongside routine patients.

“There are people who are in pain who have to wait until a stab victim or a gunshot victim is addressed,” he said, describing the strain placed on hospitals.

He warned that fear of retaliation can extend into healthcare spaces, further eroding public confidence and safety.

Lashley said the bill ultimately seeks to balance enforcement with fairness, accountability and public protection.