Regional bodies benefiting from training in restorative justice

Representatives of justice reform, faith-based and non-governmental organisations on Friday commenced a five-day regional “train-the-trainer” workshop on restorative justice, a programme sponsored by Caricom and the European Union, along with the Sycamore Tree Project.

The train-the-trainer workshop, which is being hosted at the Grand Costal Inn at Le Ressouvenir, ECD, is an activity of the 10th European Development Crime and Violence Prevention and Social Project under the Caribbean Forum/European Crime and Security Programme.
Caricom’s Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater, in his remarks, said the workshop is one of several aimed at promoting social inclusion and reintegration of offenders into society. According to him, as the region endeavours to embrace alternatives to incarceration, adopting restorative justice programmes has become a critical priority.
“Restorative justice is a response to crime that emphasises healing the wounds of victims, offenders and communities caused or revealed by criminal behaviour,” he is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.
In this regard, he said, the workshop, aimed at building the capacity of persons to implement the Sycamore Tree Project, is “opportune.”
The Sycamore Tree Project is an in-prison restorative justice programme bringing together unrelated victims and offenders to discuss crime and its impact, while presenting opportunities for understanding and healing.