Acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken believes that there is an urgent need for a full reformation of the criminal justice system.

Speaking at a training programme on Restorative Justice, Mr. Hicken said while the Criminal Justice System continues to assist many Guyanese, it also continues to fail many youths and children.

He explained that the current approach in administering criminal justice in Guyana needs to be reformed in order to promote accountability and fairness, adding that there is a need to embrace a new structure of the Justice.

“Clearly our Criminal justice system has failed a few and has assisted many as our nation challenge by prison overcrowding for minor offences. The over reliance by the Criminal Justice system on custodial sentencing has overused pre-trial detention causing congestion in the court system and causing difficulty in reintegrating victims and offenders into the community,” the Police Commissioner said.

The Top Cop said with crime committed by youths on the rise, more young people are now being placed before the penal system, which he believes is causing more harm than good.

“Sadly, resulting from our current justice system we are also being preview to mental health disorder of victims of crime, stigmatization and separation of our youths from their homes, families, school and work. As a nation, we must adopt an alternative approach that address the dehumanization frequently experienced by people in our criminal justice system,” Mr. Hicken pointed out.

According to Mr. Hicken, a new approach is required and there needs to be more engagement through stakeholders. He is also of the view that there should be alternative punishment and imprisonment for some crimes.

“This is where restorative justice comes in and the duty for the restorative justice center. Restorative justice offers a genuine opportunity to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior. Indeed, it is not a solution to all of the social problem but it is based on international best practices which is what is need to deal with contemporary crime,” Hicken noted.

In terms of victims, the Acting Commissioner said restorative justice provides a safe space for persons to be seen and heard. He said it also provides a network of support for victims.

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