Modernisation of criminal justice system boosted by increased int’l funding

– Guyana among 8 C’bean countries to benefit from €28M criminal justice reform project

Based on the investments and strategic decisions of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Guyana’s criminal justice system is now known as one of the better performing ones in the region.
This remarkable achievement was highlighted by Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Friday during the ‘Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme’ (SCJS) Exit Workshop, which was executed by his Ministry with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

With funding of some US$8 million, the general objective of the programme was to contribute to the reduction of high concentrations of prison population in Guyana. The specific objectives are to reduce the proportion of inmates who are pre-trial detainees, and to increase the use of alternative sentencing in the country.
During his feature address at the event, Nandlall highlighted that the programme has paved the way for Guyana’s Criminal Justice System to climb to the top of the leader board in the region. As a result, he said Guyana will be getting further international funding to continue its modernisation of the criminal justice system.
In light of the country’s advancements in reforming and modernising its criminal justice system, Guyana has been selected as one of eight Caribbean states to benefit from a transformative €28 million project, aimed at enhancing the delivery of justice.
“But this programme has laid a solid foundation for us to build upon and which we intended to do. Currently, Guyana has been fortunate to be selected as part of an eight-member team from the rest of the Caribbean that will benefit from another project in the criminal justice system: a 28 million euros project.”
The programme will be funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Meanwhile, also delivering an address at the ceremony was Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud also spoke about the benefits of the IDB-funded programme.
“The whole name of this project: ‘Support for the Criminal Justice System’, speaks to the reason why this was worth it in the first place; looking at overcrowding in our prisons, looking at having alternative sentencing, looking at diversion, and looking at ways in which various Ministries and sectors could work cohesively to ensure that there are less prisoners in the system, but more importantly – that the rehabilitation of prisoners would be paramount in what we are trying to do,” she emphasised.
Echoing similar sentiments was home affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who stressed the need for transforming the justice system in alignment with international standards.
“We have to be able to evolve, we have to be able to match up with the best international practices, and learn from the stakeholders and other international institutions as to the best way to get the best outcomes of the overall criminal justice system,” he noted.
Reaffirming the IDB’s commitment towards bolstering Guyana’s legal system, was IDB Country Representative Lorena Solórzano Salazar, who highlighted that the organisation will continue to build on the success of the SCJS programme.
“As we conclude the SCJS programme, the IDB, as a willing and endured partner to build upon its achievements, we will continue to support when called upon as you build policies and promote fairness, efficiency and rehabilitation in the justice system. So, on behalf of the IDB group, I would like to extend my congratulations and gratitude to the Government and the Ministry of Legal Affairs as the executive agency of this programme,” she expressed.
By addressing crime and violence, the IDB aims to foster economic growth and social well-being in the region.