Anguilla, which is thought to have introduced a model residential programme at Zenaida Haven for the rest of the OECS sub-region, began hosting a three-and-a-half-day workshop on Monday, April 11, on Juvenile Justice Reform Training. While assisting stakeholders with the delivery of their services, the UNICEF-sponsored workshop is also aimed at helping young people in conflict with the law to reform their lifestyles and to make Anguilla a better place.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, said in part: “The main objective of the OECS Justice Project is to shift the paradigm when it comes to the treatment of children – from a punitive sentencing type situation to a balanced rehabilitative and restorative juvenile justice model. This project has four main pillars, one of which is capacity building for the effective administration of juvenile justice which includes the training of key actors in the juvenile justice system.
“With the Child Justice Bill under review, the implementation of court assessors, and a new and innovative approach to juvenile justice right on the horizon, this workshop is very timely. The buy-in of Magistrates, Judges and other stakeholders, in understanding the direction and focus of juvenile justice is critical. We serve our young people best when we work in concert in their best interest.”
According to Dr. Richardson-Lake, part of the workshop was to help stakeholders to really understand how the Child Justice Bill would work and be administered. “The Bill is under review by a Committee in Anguilla. I don’t know whether or not it will actually get to the House of Assembly this year, but we are pushing towards that direction – and this training will enable service providers to administer that law,” she added.
Chief Probation Officer, Mrs. Jocelyn Johnson, was pleased that the workshop was being attended by colleagues from the British Virgin Islands, and from Anguilla by representatives and partners from the Department of Probation, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Department of Education, Royal Anguilla Police Force, Her Majesty’s Prison and [the Youth Parliament].
Mrs Johnson explained: “The workshop came out of the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project that focuses on how we are going to be looking at implementing the Child Justice Bill which really looks at humanely treating young people in the criminal justice system. As you know, Anguilla has had a history of treating young people like adults. This workshop sensitises people that we should be looking at the treatment of young people who would have come into conflict with the law a bit differently. We have already begun that practice with the establishment of the Department of Probation and Zenaida Haven. This workshop was built of that capacity.”
The main facilitator for the workshop has been Mrs. Jacqueline Sealy-Burke, a Lawyer, Consultant and an Adjunct Associate Professor at St. George’s University in Grenada. Her area of academic focus is Family Violence. She said a number of OECS territories had already passed the Child Justice Bill and she hoped this would be done soon in Anguilla. “We need to be fully-equipped to hit the road running when the legislation is ultimately passed,” she stated. “I suspect that Anguilla, like many of the other OECS territories, will experience its share of challenges in ensuring that all of the infrastructural support for meaningful implementation of the law is in place.” Mrs. Sealy-Burke was assisted by Ms. Shaky Cornwall – Assistant Facilitor
The workshop comprised nine models as follows: the Introduction to the Juvenile Justice System; Juvenile Justice: The Psycho-Social Considerations (in two parts); The International Instruments Relevant to Juvenile Justice; Legislative Reform of Juvenile Justice and Child Protection; Introduction to Diversion and Restorative Justice; Arrest Procedures; Pre-Trial and Court Procedures; Sentencing; and Standards of Care in Custody and Social Reintegration.
