Justice officials strengthen skills in restorative justice implementation

Members of Guyana’s justice sector recently participated in a refresher training session on the Restorative Justice Act 2022, as authorities continue efforts to strengthen the practical implementation of the landmark legislation.
The session, held at the Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, brought together prosecutors, police prosecutors, state attorneys, and restorative justice practitioners to reinforce their understanding of how the Act is to be applied within the criminal justice system.
Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, Orrin Boston, facilitated the engagement, guiding participants through operational procedures, referral processes, and inter-agency coordination required to effectively execute restorative measures.

Among those in attendance were Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Diana O’Brian, Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna Lall, facilitator Beverley Bishop-Cheddie, and Superintendent Delon Fraser. The training focused on ensuring that justice officials are not only familiar with the principles of restorative justice but are also equipped to integrate those principles into daily prosecutorial and policing functions.
The Restorative Justice Act, passed in November 2022, marked a significant shift in Guyana’s approach to certain categories of offences, particularly minor and non-violent matters.
Instead of relying exclusively on punitive sanctions, the legislation promotes accountability through dialogue between victims and offenders, mediation, community participation, and structured rehabilitation. The framework was also designed to help reduce pressure on the prison system and ease the burden on the courts by diverting suitable cases away from full trials.
Restorative justice units have been introduced within probation and justice structures, while magistrates, police ranks, and facilitators have undergone specialised training to build capacity across regions.
Officials have also signalled their intention to expand restorative justice centres and embed the model as a permanent feature of Guyana’s justice system, with the broader objective of reducing recidivism and strengthening public trust.
The refresher session at Eve Leary forms part of that sustained national rollout, aimed at ensuring that restorative justice is consistently and effectively applied as the system continues to evolve.