Persons convicted of certain minor offences could be sentenced to community service and other non-custodial measures instead of imprisonment under new legislation being introduced by the government.
The Criminal Justice Alternative Sentencing Bill was read for the first time in the National Assembly today.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said the proposed legislation will give judicial officers a wider range of sentencing options for offences considered less serious.
He explained that imprisonment should be a last resort for certain minor offences, particularly as Guyana continues to address its growing prison population.
Under the proposed framework, courts will be able to consider alternative penalties, including community service, based on the circumstances of individual cases and, where appropriate, the skills of convicted persons.
Nandlall said the legislation reflects international efforts to reduce unnecessary incarceration while ensuring that offenders remain accountable for their actions.
The Bill will repeal and replace the existing Extra-Mural Work Act, introducing a broader system of non-custodial sentencing measures.
According to the Attorney General, the reforms are intended to reserve imprisonment primarily for more serious offences while giving courts greater flexibility in dealing with minor offenders.
