Around 70 individuals are currently participating in a comprehensive two-day training program focused on restorative justice.
The initiative aims to modernize Guyana’s justice system, reduce prison overcrowding, and provide an alternative to imprisonment for non-serious crimes.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, emphasized the importance of these individuals as pioneers who will play a crucial role in executing and developing the restorative justice program in their communities.
He highlighted that they would directly impact the lives of tens of thousands of people benefiting from restorative justice.
Restorative justice is viewed as a holistic process, and efforts are underway to train officers and raise awareness about the process.
The training participants include police, prison and probation officers, NGO representatives, and Toshaos.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, noted that some hinterland communities lack court and detention facilities.
By training Toshaos, the justice system can be extended to these hinterland areas.
She emphasized the importance of promoting key leaders in Indigenous communities to understand how restorative justice will be dispensed.
Restorative justice involves the active participation of the victim, perpetrator, and a mediator or community member to resolve situations without resorting to the court system.
Funding from the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme has significantly contributed to enhancing restorative justice in Guyana.
The Legal Affairs Ministry passed an act in 2022, established a center, and facilitated training through the IDB’s support.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in transforming and modernizing Guyana’s justice system to better serve its communities.