Redefining Juvenile Justice – Towards a Better Future
Barbados convened its first National Conference On Juvenile Justice on April 21st, 2015 with Canadian-funded IMPACT Justice as one of the sponsors.
The Conference, themed “Redefining Juvenile Justice – Towards a Better Future”, was held against a background of the concerns being expressed globally about the critical importance of employing pre-emptive measures to divert troubled youth from coming into contact with the adult justice system. It aimed at sensitising participants to the current status of the juvenile justice system in Barbados; developing a plan of action for the reform of the juvenile justice system; and highlighting proposals for that reform.
In his Opening Address, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Adriel Brathwaite, Q.C., M.P., signalled that the days of having delinquent youths serving lengthy prison sentences at Her Majesty’s pleasure could soon be numbered. “I am of the firm opinion that we are causing more harm than good by confining our children to the Government Industrial School and sometimes to Dodds,” said Brathwaite.
He went on to acknowledge IMPACT Justice and the Government of Canada for their support of the programme.
Prof. Velma Newton, Regional Project Director of IMPACT Justice, chaired a session entitled “Ongoing Reforms in the Caribbean Region”.
