Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on Monday described restorative justice as a transformative shift in how Guyana approaches crime and conflict, urging new trainees to embrace their role as agents of change in the justice system.
Speaking at the opening of a training for restorative justice officers at the Police Officers’ Training Centre in Georgetown, McGusty underscored the importance of healing over punishment.
“Restorative justice shifts the focus from punishment to healing, from retribution to restoration,” she said. “In doing so, it brings to the heart of the criminal justice system a much-needed human element – an opportunity for victims to be heard, for offenders to take meaningful accountability, and for communities to rebuild trust.”
Restorative justice, as defined by the Government of Canada, is “an approach to justice that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime.”
McGusty praised the trainees as future trailblazers of this approach, noting, “You are not only learning a process—you are helping to shape the culture of justice in our country.”
While restorative justice remains in its early stages in Guyana, the Acting Chief Magistrate noted its growing impact.
Since the Region Four Restorative Justice Centre was launched in April 2023, several successful mediations have taken place, with parties reporting high satisfaction and emotional closure.
To illustrate the power of the method, McGusty shared a real-life example involving a former magistrate who used restorative practices to resolve a long-standing feud between neighbours.
“The magistrate encouraged them to cook each other’s favourite meals,” she said. According to her, that simple act led to open conversations, forgiveness, and eventually friendship.
“They became good friends and even began telling others how good each person was. They forgot about all the issues they had before.”
McGusty also addressed the significant challenge of limited public and institutional understanding.
“Too many citizens, even within our legal and law enforcement communities, still view justice only through the lens of courts, trials, and punishments,” she noted.
“Restorative justice offers a different vision – one that requires understanding, openness, and community engagement.”
She emphasised that restorative justice is not about leniency.
“It’s not about ignoring harm,” she clarified. “It’s about acknowledging harm fully and working collectively to repair it in a way that builds rather than breaks.”
Restorative justice in Guyana is governed by the Restorative Justice Act, passed in 2022.
The national programme, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) initiative, seeks to reduce pre-trial detention and promote alternative sentencing to ease prison overcrowding.
Restorative Justice Offices are now operational in Regions Three, Four, Five, and 10. Additional centres are planned for Regions One, Two, Six, Seven, and Nine by August 2025. Region Eight remains without a confirmed location.
McGusty concluded by reminding the trainees, “Raising awareness is not a separate task. It is embedded in the very work you are about to begin. You are part of a movement—one rooted in empathy, accountability, and community healing.”
