Barbados’ Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating moral environment within the nation’s public service vehicle (PSV) sector, asserting that the pervasive culture of violence and vulgarity is directly harming schoolchildren and eroding societal values. Speaking during sentencing submissions for convicted murderer Shakira Blackman, Seale delivered an impassioned critique of the PSV industry’s negative influence on youth development.
The veteran prosecutor described how continuous exposure to violent content, abusive language, and inappropriate behavior on minibuses and ZRs creates psychological distress that impedes children’s educational progress. “They cannot listen to maths; they cannot understand Pythagoras’ theorem,” Seale stated, emphasizing that students arrive at school already overwhelmed by the “ignorance” they encounter during their commutes.
Seale identified multiple concerning elements within the PSV environment, including drivers’ and conductors’ vulgar speech, explicit musical content, and inappropriate dress standards that children inevitably emulate. He expressed particular concern about the absence of positive role models in this sphere, noting that the lack of uniforms and professional standards undermines efforts to instill discipline in young people.
The prosecutor connected these environmental factors to broader societal problems, including school violence and future criminal behavior. He questioned contemporary approaches to discipline in the context of reduced corporal punishment, noting that alternative solutions have proven insufficient against rising classroom violence.
Seale’s comments emerged during legal proceedings concerning Shakira Blackman, who was convicted of murdering 27-year-old Shanice Miller in November 2021. The prosecutor recommended a 40-year starting sentence, citing aggravating circumstances and premeditation. He described how Blackman pursued her victim even after initial defensive actions, ultimately causing fatal injuries near Central Police Station.
Despite Blackman’s claims of defending a friend, Seale emphasized personal accountability for violent actions. Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell will deliver sentencing on March 20, with King’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim representing the convicted individual.