Government is introducing split sentencing a measure that could reshape offender rehabilitation in Trinidad and Tobago.
Debated in the Senate, the proposed law would allow part of a sentence to be served in prison and the rest under community supervision.
Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj says the move aims to ease prison overcrowding.
“Reducing duration of custodial sentences serve to alleviate prison overcrowding, whilst simultaneously ensuring that incarceration is reserved for individuals who pose an imminent threat to public safety, demonstrate persistent offending behaviour, or have committed serious offence,” he said.
He said it also strengthening accountability in the system.
“It ensures that offenders are held accountable through imprisonment but are given a structured support to reintegrate into society,” he told the Senate.
“If, however, he fails or commits another offence as a probationer, he will do the full sentence, or he will come back to serve the remainder of his sentence.”
Mr Maharaj said that if the offender is successful in their period of probation, the probationer can apply to the courts to have their record sealed.
“This is a forward-looking measure, Mr. President. It supports reintegration back into society, giving rehabilitated individuals a second chance to build their lives free from the stigma of past mistakes,” he said.
“In other words, you seal. It doesn’t show up on your court record. They can get back into the workplace, you can get your certificate of character from the police, which is a requirement these days, it seems, in most places, and you get back on their feet and you move on.”
