Bill to replace custodial sentencing with community service for minor offences being introduced

Attorney General Anil Nandlall will pilot a new Bill in the National Assembly to replace custodial sentences with community service and other form of punishments for minor offences.

The new Criminal Justice Alternative Sentencing Bill will replace the Extramural Work Act Cap 11:02.

Speaking during this weekly Issues In the News Programme, Mr. Nandlall said the Bill explores punishment other than custodial sentencing for minor offences.

He said studies have shown that custodial sentencing for certain minor offences should be a punishment of last resort. He explained that coupled with the fact that there is a growing prison population and that prisons should be reserved for persons who are committing more serious offences, the country will be going in the direction of other countries to establish alternatives to custodial sentences

“This Bill equips the Judicial officers with the requisite power and a huge repertoire of punishments that they can impose for certain categories of offences considered not serious and that will include community services and all sorts of things depending upon a number of factors including if the defendant has peculiar skills,” Mr. Nandlall said.

The Attorney General said there will be a large regime of non-custodial sentences in addition to community service, that Magistrates can utilize rather than send persons to jail for custodial sentences.

He said the proposed legislation will give the Courts more options when determining suitable punishment for certain offences.

The Bill will be laid for the first time in the National Assembly today with Mr. Nandlall describing it as a piece of legislation that has been in the making for years.

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