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Sentencing Guidelines: Delivering Fairness & Justice In Barbados

On Friday, May 10, 2024, the Barbados Supreme Court unveiled its inaugural Sentencing Guidelines, marking a significant milestone in the multi-year Barbados Sentencing Guidelines initiative.

Supported by the U.S. and UK Governments through the U.S.-UK Criminal Justice Reform Project, the Sentencing Guidelines introduce a step-by-step process that will help ensure consistency in the approach taken by judges and magistrates when sentencing offenders.

The guidelines will also assist in providing clearer reasons for the sentences passed which can be readily understood by offenders, victims, and the wider public. The first set of guidelines, which deal with rape, drug offences, theft, robbery, burglary, aggravated burglary, and causing death by dangerous driving, are set to come into effect soon. More Guidelines are slated to be developed and implemented in the future in other areas, including firearm offences.

The guidelines were developed by the Sentencing Guidelines Committee, led by Chief Justice of Barbados, The Honourable Sir Patterson Cheltenham and comprising judicial officers, attorneys-at-law from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as well as the private bar, and academics. The Committee’s work was also informed by views received from the public consultation process.

Additionally, a training workshop was held to expose judges, magistrates, prosecutors, and defence attorneys to the guidelines and how they are intended to work.

With the launch of these Sentencing Guidelines, Barbados joins the wider regional sentencing guidelines initiative supported by the U.S.-UK Criminal Justice Reform Project, which has to date produced 22 guidelines for the nine countries that fall under the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Cheltenham, in his remarks at the launch, emphasised that the Barbados Sentencing Guidelines will in no way restrict judges or magistrates from exercising their discretion when they are determining an appropriate sentence for an offender.

Instead, he explained that the purpose is to provide a framework that guides the approach that a judge or magistrate takes in coming to a sentence in each case, which reflects the crime and its seriousness, as well as the circumstances of the offender and other relevant considerations.

U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, Roger Nyhus, highlighted the U.S.’ commitment to “best practices in the delivery of justice” and the very real difference being made through the existing partnership between the U.S. Government and Barbados.

He also commended the combined efforts of the judiciary of Barbados and Criminal Justice Adviser to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Sirah Abraham, who leads the U.S.-UK Criminal Justice Reform Project, in bringing this critical initiative to fruition.

Ambassador Nyhus also stated that “the United States is proud to partner with Barbados to strengthen our institutions for the benefit of all our citizens”.

British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Scott Furssedonn-Wood, in addressing the gathering, lauded the judiciary’s commitment to enhancing the administration of justice and engaging in initiatives that result in meaningful reform within the criminal justice system.

He commended the development of the guidelines, which will enhance public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system and also serve to increase transparency and public knowledge about how sentences are arrived at.

High Commissioner Furssedonn-Wood pledged the UK’s continued support to the Barbados Sentencing Guidelines Project reiterating the UK Government’s commitment to supporting Barbados’ vision for stronger, more just, and inclusive institutions and a bright future.

Both the U.S. Ambassador and the British High Commissioner extended congratulations to Chief Justice Cheltenham on his distinguished career and offered best wishes as he prepares to retire. (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Chief Justice, The Honourable Sir Patterson Cheltenham, was joined by United States Ambassador to Barbados, Roger Nyhus; Criminal Justice Adviser with the U.S.-U.K. Criminal Justice Reform Project, Sirah Abraham; and British High Commissioner to Barbados, Scott Furssedonn-Wood, at the Barbados Judiciary’s unveiling of its inaugural Sentencing Guidelines last Friday

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.