THE newly-launched Mental Health Court is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing recidivism (repeat offenders) by focusing on rehabilitation over punishment, according to Assistant Chief Probation and Social Services Officer (ag) Trenetta Elliot.

Speaking at last Thursday’s official launch of the court in Georgetown and Bartica, Elliot said the establishment of the specialised court “is an innovative idea which has as its primary focus the rehabilitation, rather than punishment, of individuals who appear before the court”.

She explained that the court would help enforce the legislative framework that governs how the justice system responds to mental illness. “It speaks to a commitment by our government not only to crafting and tabling legislation in Parliament, but to ensure a framework exists to advance its implementation,” she said.

The Mental Health Court aims to support individuals charged with offences who are assessed as having mental health challenges. According to Elliot, “The court seeks, through the provision of psychosocial support and other services, to create an enabling environment for persons who have been charged for an offence but who have been assessed as experiencing mental health challenges.”

Citing global statistics to underscore the need for such an intervention, she noted that “the most prevalent condition among people in prison was mental health disorders, which affected 32 per cent of the prison population,” according to the World Health Organisation’s status report on prison health in the WHO European Region.

Elliot pointed out the challenges faced by people with mental illnesses once incarcerated. “It has been noted that once incarcerated, people with serious mental illnesses are at a higher risk of victimisation and spending more time in custody compared to people without mental health illness.”

She stressed the importance of treating rather than punishing those suffering from mental disorders. Elliot also highlighted the essential role of family support in aiding recovery and preventing relapse, which, in turn, helps reduce reoffending.

“Family members can provide a sense of stability, safety, and encouragement, which can help individuals facing mental health issues stay motivated in their recovery journey,” she said.

“Family support can help them to develop high self-esteem, confidence and hope, which are essential elements of mental health recovery,” she added, noting that such support can also “reduce feelings of isolation and helplessness, which in many instances are common experiences for persons diagnosed with mental illnesses”.

She explained that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, via its Social Services Department, will collaborate closely with the multidisciplinary team of the Mental Health Court.

“The social services department will work with the multidisciplinary team of the mental health court to provide essential resources and support to persons navigating the justice system due to mental health conditions,” Elliot said.

“These services help in assessment, treatment, planning and ongoing support — ultimately ensuring recovery and reducing recidivism,” she concluded.

The Mental Health Court will begin operations in Georgetown at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and in Bartica at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court as one of the government’s newest initiatives aimed at addressing mental health through a therapeutic and rehabilitative approach.

The judiciary plans to establish similar courts in every administrative region. To raise public awareness about this initiative, a campaign will soon be launched by the judiciary.

The Mental Health Court is the judiciary’s second specialised treatment court, following the establishment of the Drug Treatment Court in 2019.

Guyana’s recidivism rate of 14 per cent, calculated based on the current prison population, is significantly lower than the averages reported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for Australia, the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America, where rates exceed 25 per cent.

As of January 2024, the prison system of Guyana incarcerates 2,240 males and over 60 female inmates.