The Commission hosted a Seminar during Restorative Justice Week on the theme: “Developing New Approaches to T&T’s Criminal Justice System.”The Seminar was held on Friday, November 21, 2003 at Trinidad Hilton.
Although Prime Minister Patrick Manning was unable to attend the Seminar, he held a meeting with Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert and Leela Ramdeen, Chair of CCSJ, prior to the Seminar to discuss the Discussion Paper sent to him by CCSJ on the theme of the Seminar.
Miss Ramdeen reports: “Because of the nature of CCSJ’s work, it is important to develop a positive working relationship with the Government. The meeting with the PM was very cordial. The Hon. Prime Minister told us that we are ‘knocking on an open door’. “
Among those present at the Seminar were: Junior Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Anthony Roberts; Justice Herbert Volney, DPP, Geoffrey Henderson; 8 Magistrates, including 3 Senior Magistrates; Arlene Valere, Asst. Registrar, Ministry of Legal Affairs; Chair of the Government’s Committee Against Crime, Ken Gordon; Chief Probation Officer, Claire Blandin; Chief Welfare Officer, Gordon Husbands; Principal of Hugh Wooding Law School, Justice Annestine Sealey, Keith Scotland of the T&T Law Association; and Mr Burris, a representative from the IRO, Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert, and a number of CCSJ members.
The Seminar began with opening remarks by Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert, following which Leela Ramdeen raised key issues from the discussion paper entitled “Developing New Approaches to T&T’s Criminal Justice System”, which had been circulated to the invitees prior to the event.
The majority of those present were in support of restorative justice as opposed to retributive justice and some, including Minister Anthony Roberts, offered to work with CCSJ on the action plan which arose out of the Seminar. It was generally agreed that such a plan should be part of a holistic approach by the Government which comprise short term, medium term and long term measures to reduce crime and violence in our society.
The action plan focussed on the following key areas:
Legislative reform to provide Judges and Magistrates with a wider range of sentencing options that are legal and binding. This would also require effective mechanisms in place to support the implementation of any such legislation. Example was given of the need for mechanisms to be put in place for T&T’s Community Service Act to be more effective.
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Addressing the current insufficiency of Probation Officers by allocating funding in the national budget for more Probation Officers, recruiting and training them to develop the ability of the Probation Service to meet the increasing demands on this Service – particularly in light of Government’s proposals to introduce ‘Parole’.
Concern was expressed that often policies are developed but that it is sometimes difficult to implement these because of a lack of human resources. Developing and implementing effective strategies at all levels of society to promote and support family life.
Educating the public about Restorative Justice and seeking to create a culture in society that will be more receptive towards ex-offenders, which will assist them in turning their lives around and making a contribution to society.
Raising the awareness of Police Officers of ways in which their role in the justice system could be more supportive e.g. of youth and first time offenders. For example, they should consider whether there are more opportunities for warning an individual who has committed a minor offence rather than arresting that individual.
Motivating members of the Police Service by providing more training programmes, greater financial incentives, and reward systems within the Service.
CCSJ is committed to work with interested parties to bring about changes in the main areas identified at the Seminar, namely issues relating to human resources and legal reform. Miss Ramdeen states:
“The follow-up work to this Seminar will allow persons in T&T to share their knowledge, skills and ability for the benefit of our people in T&T. There is a saying: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ Anyone who wishes to work with us on the above plan is invited to ring CCSJ on 622 6680”.
