Restorative justice resolution rate climbs to 85% in 2026

…chancellor urges Magistrates to embrace alternative approach

Guyana’s restorative justice system is soaring to new heights, with its resolution rate climbing from 80 per cent to 85 per cent in 2026, reflecting progress in resolving cases through restorative justice principles and strengthening the country’s justice system.

This was revealed by Director of the Restorative Justice Centre in Guyana, William Orrin Boston during the Restorative Justice Forum for Magistrates and Restorative Justice Officers, held at the Sleepin Hotel Conference Room in Georgetown on Thursday morning.
According to Boston, the forum was organised to promote a shared understanding of restorative justice, clarify stakeholders’ roles and strengthen integration across the justice system. He stressed that such engagements must be continuous in Guyana to foster a restorative culture by strengthening systems and relationships.
He also described Guyana’s pre-charge restorative justice process as unique, noting that there are no comparable models. He said the approach could be adopted by other countries in the near future, emphasising the need for key stakeholders to conduct their own research to strengthen and develop a robust national pre-charge restorative justice mechanism.
“Thus far, we have been seeing positive signs. We currently have nine centres operational in Guyana. By the end of 2026, I know we’re in October, we should have 11 centres operational. We currently serve 34 of the 53 courts in Guyana. By the end of 2026, we will put ourselves in a position to service 49 of the 53 courts. And I guess this is why Mr Bowen said thanks.”

Meanwhile, Boston highlighted other recent improvements in Guyana’s restorative justice system, particularly the establishment of restorative justice centres. “Even without a robust PR programme, we commenced this journey of referrals from the court in March 2025. By the end of December 2025, we had 73 cases handed to us, with a success rate of 80 per cent and zero recidivism. In 2026, and again, I think this is why Mr Bowen said thanks, as I stand here now, on record as of yesterday, without a grand PR, the confidence in us has evidently grown.”
He added: “And on record is, from the magistracy, 204 cases. And most encouraging, the resolution rate has moved from 80 per cent to 85 per cent. Unfortunately, we have indeed experienced one case of recidivism.”
Boston explained that a pilot workshop would be held the following week for potential support service providers identified through a preliminary national referral pathway directory currently being developed.
He added that, after considering geographical factors, the number and locations of courts, and the frequency of court sessions, the number of restorative justice officers would increase from 18 to 31 by the end of the year. This expansion is intended to extend coverage to 49 of the 53 courts across nine regions.

Give restorative justice principles a chance
Meanwhile, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Roxane George has urged Magistrates to give restorative justice principles a chance as efforts continue to strengthen the country’s restorative justice system.
“In this regard, I urge all Magistrates, and I heard the Attorney General (AG) earlier, but I urge all Magistrates, and indeed, I urge all of us to give restorative justice principles a chance. I do appreciate that with heavy dockets and the necessity to complete cases in a timely manner may mean that you feel pressured to complete cases in the usual way, and with the draft Criminal Justice Code soon to be published, which will set performance standards for the completion of cases, again, you may feel some pressure to deal with your cases with dispatch.”
She added, “We will make adjustments for cases that will be referred for restorative justice to be applied, just as allowances are being made for the lengthy period drug treatment cases take to complete.”
Justice George also noted that promoting wellness is critical in a society where many people are struggling to cope, adding that the courts have an important role to play in addressing these challenges.
She explained that, in addition to expanding drug treatment courts and moving towards the full implementation of mental health courts, the judiciary would explore introducing wellness courts. The initiative is aimed at providing more people-centred, problem-solving approaches for members of the public who come before the courts.
She also commended the AG for championing the enactment of the Restorative Justice Act 2022, which seeks to address crime through a more reconciliatory approach. She noted that the legislation provides judicial officers with another tool, within a structured framework, to apply restorative justice principles.