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Today, Akinee Harry is a 25-year-old author and budding criminologist who has a passion for working with vulnerable young people and improving the lives of those that reside in at-risk communities. However, not too long ago, he was a teenager who committed a crime and was subsequently charged. After experiencing the realities of remand, he was released on bond with a renewed focus and drive. What caused the turn around? What motivates him now? How did he leave the system inspired and driven to be a better person? This is his journey:

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I was raised with my three siblings in a traditional nuclear home in Claxton Bay, a community that is no stranger to social issues. My parents tried their best to ensure that we were provided with the basic essentials for a healthy and productive life. As a result, there weren’t many luxuries. Nevertheless, we were exposed to good parenting even with the many vices among us. I attended the San Fernando Seventh Day Adventist Primary School and then I moved on to Presentation College in San Fernando, after writing the SEA examination. I discovered my passion for sport at the primary school level and was actively involved in cricket, football and track and field. These extra-curricular activities contributed to my development and did not take away from my academic ability as I balanced the two quite well. In secondary school, I represented the school in both track and field and football between 2008 and 2013. My ambition was always to become a professional football player, but God seemed to have had other plans.

“I often got in trouble for things such as stealing and fighting”

While I did experience unpleasant social events in the community as a child, it was not until I started secondary school in 2008 that I was actively involved in delinquent activity. I often got in trouble for things such as stealing and fighting. During my time at the school, I became somewhat of a notorious figure among the school population. After a series of behavioural incidents at Presentation College, I changed my environment and started afresh. I enrolled at the Carapichaima East Secondary School to do Sixth Form. My behavioural problems ceased for a short while until 2014 when some friends and I stole money from a cinema in San Fernando. I was later arrested and charged. A series of events led to this bad decision that would change the course of my life.

“Many people turned their backs on me”

Entering the criminal justice system was challenging as an 18-year-old schoolboy. I spent a very short time on remand and went to court back and forth: all while completing secondary school. Many people turned their backs on me and at one point, I was ready to quit school as a result of stigmatisation and discrimination. But, my family and a few people, stood by my side. They believed in me and supported me until I found my feet again. This experience and the eyesore that is remand, were enough to convince me that I wanted better for myself.

“I saw it as a second chance at life”

Eventually, I was granted leniency by the magistrate and was placed on a two-year bond to keep the peace. This is an opportunity that many young men do not get and I was really thankful for it. I saw it as a second chance at life because I could have faced a custodial sentence which may have put me at a serious disadvantage later in life. I later decided to move away from football and pursue tertiary education, hoping that one day I would make amends.

“A phase of self-discovery”

My decision to pursue Criminology and Criminal Justice at university was a direct result of my lived experience. Although I initially knew little about the field, my passion for it grew as time elapsed. It was something that was extremely fulfilling as the theoretical exposure helped me to better understand some of the reasons behind my actions. It was a phase of self-discovery. As I progressed in my programme, it became more evident to me how many young, at-risk men needed guidance and mentorship. Consequently, I decided to further my studies by enrolling in the Criminology and Criminal Justice programme at the master’s degree level at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

“No one knew what I was going through”

As I started this new journey, I did not initially have a mentor to help me through my first few years at university. I sat among peers and lecturers and no one knew what I was going through because I never spoke about it. However, the moral and financial support that I received from my family was enough to inspire me to keep going. While pursuing this post graduate degree, I have been fortunate enough to meet and learn directly from Dr. Wendell C. Wallace, who is now my mentor. He has been mentoring me for the past two years and I have learnt so much under his guidance.

I firmly believe that there are insufficient role models and mentors for young men in Trinidad and Tobago. There is this notion that the young men today are unruly and have no desire for improvement. I refuse to believe this. In fact, what is evident to me is that there is a lack of guidance and mentorship, which encourages our young men to gravitate toward the negative influences around them.  While there are some men that we can look up to, they do not often come forward or offer themselves to assist. I hope this changes.

“Re-directing fate”

We need to be the change that we wish to see in the world and this is why I recently published my new book “Redirecting Fate- Rising Above My Troubled Past” to show young men that there is hope. To help inspire and guide them to fulfilling their innate potential. The book itself is a detailed account of my experiences as a young man. It shows how I got involved in crime but more importantly, it shows how I overcame. It underscores the message of hope and courage and provides counsel to young men in at-risk communities. It is a story I think all young men need to hear.

“Crime does not pay”

My ultimate goal is to go after my Ph.D. when I am finished with this phase of my studies. It is something I am very passionate about because I have intentions of building a meaningful career in academia. What I would say to young men inclined to criminal or delinquent activity is to stay away from that life. Crime does not pay and it is in fact, very cool to stay in school. Not many people are as fortunate as me to get a second chance. Today, many young men are being shot and killed, or become lost in the system, at best. There are numerous avenues to explore such as entrepreneurship, vocation skills training (trades), sport and even formal education. Make use of these opportunities.

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“To all the “ghetto youths” out there, WE can achieve anything we want to. Do not limit your potential based on where you come from or the things you have done in the past. Use it to fuel your success. Find inspiration in my story so that you too can shatter the glass ceiling and exceed all expectations.”

You can learn more at:  www.akineeharry.com or Facebook @akineeharryauthor.