How Western Legal Systems Fail Caribbean Youth

This paper explores the disconnect between inherited Western legal structures and the lived realities of Caribbean youth in the West Indies. Rooted in colonial-era traditions, many justice systems in the region continue to reflect Eurocentric ideals that fail to accommodate the cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic conditions faced by young people.As a result, Caribbean youth often experience unequal treatment within the legal system, leading to disproportionately high rates of incarceration, recidivism, and social exclusion. These legal shortcomings also contribute to broader societal challenges such as gang involvement, exposure to violence, and limited access to quality education and opportunity. Using a post-colonial point of view, this paper critically analyzes the structural failures of Caribbean justice systems inherited from Western colonial rule, and proposes culturally responsive reforms aimed at youth rehabilitation and empowerment.