The Judiciary of Guyana in partnership with the Government of Guyana and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) today launched Guyana’s first Mental Health Court.
The Mental Health Court will provide an alternative approach for individuals with mental illness who are facing the criminal justice system.
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings said through the Mental Health Court, persons with mental illness will experience therapeutic jurisprudence – an inter-disciplinary approach to solving legal issues.
“So, the Court is not here only to try a case, lock you up, put you into the prisons and throw way the key. It is a more holistic compassionate and healing procedure which we undertake in our various treatment courts,” the Chancellor explained.
Acting Chief Justice, Roxane George said the launch of the Mental Health Court marks the beginning of another important chapter in the country’s Justice System that would see it embracing therapeutic justice, as the country strives to be less punitive.
Cognizant of the challenges facing citizens, including mental health issues, the Court will help offenders to become their own change agents.
“We started with the Drug Treatment Court in 2019, and launched the Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts in 2022. So, here we are today, launching the mental health court services. I say services because these services will be available not only in the Magistrates’ Court here in Georgetown but also in Bartica, and will soon be available in New Amsterdam and on the Essequibo Coast, and eventually the service will be in most, if not all our 11 magisterial districts,” the Chief Justice (ag) George said.
UNICEF Deputy Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Gabriel Vockel, said the piloting of the Mental Health Court is not just the start of a new judicial process, but also represents the start of a new era for the country’s response to the intersection of mental health and justice with compassion, dignity and hope.
“UNICEF stands proud with the Government of Guyana, and all its partners, on this momentous occasion, and we are honoured to have provided technical assistance and funding to help make this court a reality, and to support a broader vision of a justice system that is truly inclusive, rehabilitative and child sensitive. This Mental Health Court represents an important step forward in ensuring access to justice for all and particularly persons with mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities,” the UNICEF Deputy Representative said.
He said the Court is in line with Guyana’s Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act 2022, which affirms that every person with mental illness must have access to justice on an equal basis with others, and participate in the administration of justice.
Vockel noted that the Act is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
“This Court is significant as it will recognize the complex intersection of mental illness, intellectual abilities and criminal behaviour. And adopting a therapeutic jurisprudence model, it will transform the legal system into a real tool, not just for correction but for healing and rehabilitation, benefiting individuals, families, communities and the country as a whole,” the UNICEF Deputy Representative explained.
Meanwhile, in applauding the judiciary on the launch of the Mental Health Court, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall said it will now complement a number of other specialized Courts in the country.
“The establishment of this court aligns with the policy of the Government of Guyana to improve the lives of persons living with mental health illness, reduce the prison population and recidivism. This specialized court adds to the complement of specialized courts already in existence within our legal system,” the Attorney General said.
Other partners include the US Embassy, the Ministry of Human Services, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Legal Affairs. (Svetlana Marshall)
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