Justice Sector Strengthening Activity Quarterly Report (April 1 – June 30, 2015)

Close collaboration and ongoing dialogue with various Government of El Salvador counterparts, including the Executive Technical Unit of the Justice Sector Coordinating Commission, National Civilian Police, Supreme Court, Public Defender's Office, Attorney General's Office, and National Judicial Council, as well as civil society organizations (CSOs) and other counterparts, contributed to these advances. The JSSA advanced activities to strengthen justice sector operators' implementation of the Criminal Procedure Code by developing an information sharing protocol with the Executive Technical Unit. The JSSA also worked with judges and prosecutors to advance the drafting of an annotated Criminal Procedure Code. Data analysis of several Criminal Procedure Code impact indicators with performance findings from 2013 was completed, and a presentation of these findings to the Justice Sector Coordinating Commission is being prepared. Further support was provided to justice sector training schools during this period. In support of the Attorney General's Office, the JSSA helped establish a training school in Zaragoza, which will serve the training needs of prosecutors from five departments. Additionally, various capacity-building workshops were held with prosecutors, public defenders, and judges to strengthen skills and knowledge related to management, trial proceedings, and gender-based violence, among other topics. The JSSA increased the number of Joint Investigation Teams this period, establishing a Team in Zacatecoluca, La Paz. The Joint Manual of Investigative Procedures for the Attorney General's Office and National Civilian Police is now being utilized by ten Teams for case management. The Manual includes the general methodology for tracking cases of femicide, homicide, rape, and extortion, with uniform formats and an emphasis on the use of scientific evidence. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security approved the National Civilian Police's Institutional Strategic Plan for 2015-2019 this quarter. The JSSA provided assistance with the production and distribution of 5,000 copies of the Plan to jurisdictions throughout the country. The JSSA continued to provide technical assistance to 10 municipalities that are implementing the Community Policing Model, and began implementation of the Model in five new municipalities this quarter. Additionally, two new grants were awarded this quarter, one with the National Foundation for Development (FUNDE) to implement a training program on values and leadership in two Puerto de Libertad schools, and one with Cultural Association of Performing Arts (ESCENICA) to provide theater and dance classes aimed at violence prevention for youth in four different municipalities. The JSSA also completed the distribution of 22 sport equipment kits to be used by National Civilian Police officers during physical fitness classes and youth athletic leagues. The JSSA began working with the Probity Unit of the Supreme Court in the design of an awareness campaign to demand for transparency and promote denunciations of public corruption. As decided in coordination meetings, the JSSA will provide assistance with promotional materials including brochures, posters, and educational documents. As part of the advocacy strategy to promote the enactment of a new Illicit Enrichment Law, the JSSA implemented several public awareness and advocacy initiatives with the support of a civil society coalition, including workshops with key stakeholder groups and youth leaders. Workplace environment assessments for the Evaluation and Selection Units of the National Judicial Council were finalized this quarter. Major findings of the assessment include the need for improved relationships and communication between different units as well as with other justice sector institutions, increased managerial capacity, and increased information and resource management. Technical assistance was provided to incorporate these recommendations into the National Judicial Council 2013-2017 Strategic Plan revision, the 2016 Work Plan, and into the risk management manual.