Guyana has achieved more than 60% of the Needham’s Point Declaration under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) Programme.
The Needham’s Point Declaration is a comprehensive strategy aimed at modernizing the Caribbean region’s Criminal Justice System. It was adopted by the Region at a time when the region was grappling with the issues of overcrowded prisons, lengthy trial delays, and rising crime rates.
At a workshop on Friday, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has explained that under the Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme, which was launched in 2016, the country has made significant progress in implementing the Needham’s Declaration.
He explained that the Criminal Justice Programme was designed to reduce the country’s prison population. However, in order to achieve that objective, a number of societal and systemic challenges have to be implemented while reforming the country’s laws and institutions.
As part of the programme, the Government commissioned two Hope and Justice Centres with increased access to the justice system, while support is provided to victims.
“All of you would meet persons who have legal problems, but they can’t afford a lawyer or they need legal advice or they have a case in the system, small case but big for them, and they need legal advice and guidance and they can’t get it. They go to legal aid and they are turned away, they can’t afford to hire a lawyer, you hear about situations about domestic violence, you hear of no alternative but for the victim to remain in the home where the abuse is taking place, you hear about child abuse and there is no place for the child to go, so the child remains in the home where the abuse is taking place, the Hope and Justice Centre provides services for all of those issues that I have just raised,” the Attorney General explained.
The Hope and Justice Centres are equipped with lawyers, therapists, social service workers, medical practitioners, and provide both accommodation and police protection for victims. However, the Attorney General expressed disappointment that the centres are not being largely utilized.
Restorative Justice was also a main feature of the Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme as part of moves by the Government to integrate restorative practices into the justice system.
While it does not apply to capital offenses involving violent or sexual offences, it is believed that the adoption of restorative practices can lead to the reduction in the number of cases before the Courts.
The Attorney General said over 200 persons have been trained in Restorative Justice, including lawyers and Magistrates, teachers, public servant workers, community and religious leaders, and indigenous leaders among others.
On the legal front, the country brought into effect the Restorative Justice and Bail Acts in 2022. While acknowledging that there may be need for the Bail Act to be amended, the Attorney General said for the most part it has been effective.
“By and large, it has worked. It has brought uniformity and consistency in the grant of bail. Some people may not like it, some people believe that it removes discretion from the magistrate, well greater the discretion, greater the likelihood of abuse. Stronger the regulatory framework, the more uniformity and consistency you will have,” the Attorney General said.
He said in tabling the the Bail Bill, the Government codified the common law position. He said there is also a rigid system of appeal and review.
Other important pieces of legislation were also passed including a modern Plea Bargaining and Plea Agreement Act.
The Attorney General said the SCJS Programme sets the foundation for other programmes that will be undertaken by the government, including a 28 million euros project that targets eight countries within the Caribbean including Guyana.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
