Guyana Management, Administrative, and Diagnostic Tools in support of Juvenile Justice Reform (JJR) in Guyana

The tools were designed to support the implementation of the JJR in Guyana, which aimed to reform the juvenile justice system and improve the treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. The consultant, Mr. Dave Marsden, was contracted to develop a range of management, administrative, and diagnostic tools, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), an improved risk assessment instrument, a Care Plan Template (CPT), a Reintegration Plan Template (RPT), and a revised Pre-Probation Report Template. The consultant also developed an intake form and code of conduct for staff and juveniles. The Minimum Standards for the Operation of a Juvenile Commitment Facility in Guyana were developed to provide a framework for the NOC to operate effectively and provide high-quality services to juvenile offenders. The standards cover three broad areas: Youth Services and Behavior Management, Life, Health and Safety, and Personnel. The standards include requirements for intake procedures, daily schedules, group treatment and individual counseling sessions, a code of resident conduct, and an instrument for determining daily progress and ability to cope with additional privilege and responsibility. The standards also include requirements for audits and compliance determinations, which will be conducted by the Audit Determination Team (ADT). The ADT will examine files, interview staff and residents, and review documentation to determine compliance with the standards. The consultant also developed a range of policies and procedures to support the implementation of the Minimum Standards, including a Life, Health and Safety Policy, a Court Report and Assessment Form, and a Detention Risk Instrument. The consultant delivered training sessions on the tools to the NOC, Sophia Juvenile Remand Centre, and the Probation Department, and made verbal presentations of the findings and recommendations to the CFYR JJR team and Centre. The development of the management, administrative, and diagnostic tools, as well as the Minimum Standards, is expected to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders in Guyana and support the implementation of the JJR. The tools and standards will provide a framework for the NOC and the Probation Department to operate effectively and provide high-quality services to juvenile offenders. The consultant's work is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of juvenile offenders in Guyana, improving their treatment and rehabilitation outcomes and reducing recidivism rates. The development of the management, administrative, and diagnostic tools, as well as the Minimum Standards, is a critical step towards reforming the juvenile justice system in Guyana and improving the lives of juvenile offenders.