Magistrates across Guyana were today trained to better implement diversion and alternative sentencing programmes in the Courts.
The Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Community, Family, and Youth Resilience (CYFR) programme, carried out the training session for magistrates at the Ramada Princess hotel.
In his address, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan told the attending Magistrates that the ministry will leave “no stone unturned” to ensure stakeholders become au fait and develop the capacity to execute their mandate. He said with so many players required in the fight, the training was more so necessary.
“We want this to work. We want it to work as quickly as possible. I know sometimes when you ask for evidence and justice, it is probably cumbersome, slow. But we are prepared to give the support so that all stakeholders can understand their role,” Minister Ramjattan said
According to the ministry, 35 civil society core groups have already been trained. Prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Staff members of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic, Child Protection Officers and Probation Officers were also beneficiaries of the training.
Also speaking at the workshop this morning was
Dr. Dianne Williams, a Criminologist and Certified Criminal Justice Specialist.
The objective of the training was to build the capacity of participants to better implement diversion and alternative sentencing programmes.
The Children’s Court was commissioned on October 31, 2018 at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
Since opening, Magistrates Dylon Bess and Annette Singh have been dealing with numerous cases.
