Dear Editor,

A YOUNG man in Anna Regina was recently sentenced to three years imprisonment for smashing the windshield and windows of a vehicle belonging to a family member.
The said member reported him to the police and he was charged for the offence. He will likely spend close to three years as a guest of the state, unless family members retain a lawyer and appeal the case.

Even so, there is no guarantee that the verdict will change.
In prison, he will live off taxpayers’ money, languishing without working to earn his keep. Can Guyana afford this scenario in already overcrowded, volatile prisons?

Though I do not want to second-guess the learned judge who sentenced the young man, I would like to know if sentencing in our judicial system does not cater for alternative punitive actions. Could not other appropriate options be applied? What about:

1. 100 hours of supervised community service—half a day (from 8 -12) until the time is completed. He can clean the community of ubiquitous garbage and tall grass,PLUS

2. A fine of $ 200,000, half of which would go to the state and the other half to the owner of the damaged vehicle. He can work in the afternoons to fulfil this, PLUS

3. A bond to keep the peace for several years and to be law-abiding, PLUS

4. Mandatory counselling for a specific amount of hours.

Editor, similar penalties can be given to others, such as the young man who was also sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a cell- phone. There are vast discrepancies in sentencing, as if there are no guidelines. A worker in Region Two was given 40 hours of community service for slapping a regional councillor three times. Compare this to three years for breaking vehicle glasses.

Yes, I agree that a clear and strong message have to be sent to offenders, but jail sentences instead of alternative sentences do not prevent crimes, such as spontaneous crimes of passion and theft when the opportunity exists for some individuals. Editor, in light of, and against the background of, two recent prison riots that caused deaths, destruction and escaping, it is high time that we try to reduce overcrowding prisons with inadequate facilities. Alternative sanctions / penalties can be the solution, even if partially so.

Regards

Karan Chand
Region Two Resident