Magistrates trained in Juvenile Justice Diversion and Alternative Sentencing

DPI, Guyana, Friday, November 22, 2019

The Juvenile Justice Department of the Ministry of Public Security has been working towards building capacity among stakeholders regarding policies and procedures of diversion and alternative sentencing of Juveniles.

Today, the ministry in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Community, Family, and Youth Resilience (CYFR) programme, carried out a training session for magistrates at the Ramada Princess hotel.

Minister of Public Security Hon Khemraj Ramjattan told Magistrates that his ministry will leave “no stone unturned” to ensure stakeholders become au fait and develop the capacity to execute their mandate. He said with so many players required in the fight, the training was more so necessary.

“We want this to work. We want it to work as quickly as possible. I know sometimes when you ask for evidence and justice, it is probably cumbersome, slow. But we are prepared to give the support so that all stakeholders can understand their role,” Minister Ramjattan told the Magistrates. “

According to the ministry, 35 civil society core groups have already been trained. Prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Staff members of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic, Child Protection Officers and Probation Officers were also beneficiaries of the critical training.

The series of workshop commenced on November 14 to 22, 2019, and was facilitated by consultant Dr. Dianne Williams, a Criminologist and Certified Criminal Justice Specialist. The objective of the training was to build the capacity of participants to better implement diversion and alternative sentencing programmes.