ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides rich data and analysis on the region that have historically been scarcely available to scholars and regional policy analysts. It addresses the problems of drugs passing through the Caribbean region to get to destinations in North America and Europe including through points in West Africa, and the local problems posed for civilian populations. The book examines the culture of torture in respect to inner city boys by their caregivers in light of studies showing that 50% of murders committed in Jamaica are carried out by repeat offenders. It looks at the exponential rise in private security companies in the region and the expansion of their scope, pointing out that there are instances where police are outnumbered by private security and are equipped with more resources and technical capacity.
