Justice Sector Reform discussions between Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Inter-American Development Bank

On Wednesday August 29, 2018 The Honorable Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams Sc and his team met with representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank Joel Korn, Mariko Russell, Alexandre Veyrat-Pontet and Derise WIlliams to discuss the overarching needs of Government for the Justice Sector and the activities of the Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) program, an IDB funded program.

These discussions addressed the need to increase access to justice by people in the hinterland and coastal areas; the importance of strengthened Probation Services; and, the pivotal role of Law Reform in Justice Sector Reform (JSR).

Further deliberations were focused on the need for training and development, the need for strengthened mental health systems, rehabilitation and reintegration of drug offenders to society and holistic approaches as it relates to JSR.

The SCJS program is undertaking various strengthening activities in areas which include; the provision of Legal Aid Services, Probation Services, Law Reform, Police Prosecutors, Restorative Justice, The Judiciary and Magistracy. The SCJS program seeks to reduce the number of inmates on pre-trial detention for minor non-violet offences whilst simultaneously increasing the use of alternative sentencing.