A compulsory residential program for delinquent youth will be a key part of a government plan to tackle crime and youth deviance with enabling legislation to go to Parliament shortly.

This has been disclosed by Corey Lane, Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility for Crime Prevention.

President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anthony Branker, yesterday called for the establishment of such a facility.

Mr. Lane, stressing that he plans to focus in implementation, notes that such a program has repeatedly been recommended by a number of experts and various studies, dating back decades.

And, he tells Starcom Network News the compulsory program for at risk youth forms part of his draft plan that has already been submitted.

He says he sees no further need for delay and disclosed that his plan goes before the National Security Council shortly.

Corey Lane, Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility with Crime Prevention.