CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Nov 19, CMC – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has signed an agreement with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) aimed at diverting children and youth in conflict with the law away from incarceration and towards rehabilitation.
The agreement under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded OASYS project allows the court to be able to use counselling mediation and alternative sentencing mechanisms.
“This sub-grant agreement which we have entered into with the OECS for the introduction of criminal mediation in the court system and the full establishment of a Family Division of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is more than welcome,” said the acting ECSC Chief Justice, Mario Mitchell.
“All the more so because the special focus of the project is on children and youth in conflict with the law with the aim of devising a more holistic and humanistic approach to addressing social issues manifested in addressing juvenile delinquency and criminality,” he added.
OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, in highlighting the significance of transforming youth justice, said “we’re not merely signing an agreement, we are signalling our commitment to transformative justice that empowers, supports and guides our youth towards brighter, more resilient futures.
“Through this OASYS initiative funded by our steadfast partner the USAID, we are embarking on a journey to show how we handle youth in conflict with the law,” he added.
The Deputy Director, General Development Office, USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Aurore Dorelien, said through this grant USAID is proud to partner with the stakeholders to provide alternative pathways.
“Together we’re not just reducing the case backlog, we’re building a foundation for a more just society. One that values the rehabilitation of youth and at the same time provides them with the support and guidelines that they need to be on the right path.”
The OECs OASYS project focuses on providing avenues for the diversion of children and youth between ages 10 to 29 who are in conflict with the law away from courts and custodial sentences.
The project promotes rehabilitative programmes to prevent future delinquency as well as reduce recidivism and facilitates their reintegration into their families and communities.
The OASYS Project is funded by USAID and is implemented by the St. Lucia-based OECS Commission and benefits the OECS member countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
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