GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Nov 12, CMC – Persons convicted of certain minor offences in Guyana could face community service and other non-custodial sentences instead of imprisonment under proposed legislation introduced in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The Criminal Justice Alternative Sentencing Bill, which was read for the first time, seeks to establish a broader framework giving judicial officers greater flexibility when sentencing offenders.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said the legislation is intended to make imprisonment a last resort for certain less serious offences, as the country continues to address challenges associated with its prison population.
Under the proposed framework, courts would be able to impose alternative penalties, including community service, taking into account the circumstances of individual cases and, where appropriate, the skills and abilities of convicted persons.
Nandlall said the approach reflects international efforts to reduce unnecessary incarceration while maintaining accountability and ensuring offenders face appropriate consequences for their actions.
The Bill will repeal and replace the existing Extra-Mural Work Act, introducing a wider range of non-custodial sentencing options.
The proposed reforms are intended to ensure that imprisonment is primarily reserved for more serious offences, while providing opportunities for rehabilitation and reducing pressure on the country’s correctional facilities.
CMC/ed/2026