‘Open conversation on justice system needed’
A CALL for a ‘more open conversation’ about the impact of the island’s criminal justice system on the community, especially children, has been made by Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller.
She has received answers to written questions sent to Home Affairs in which she asked about the welfare of young children whose mother is sent to prison, as well as women who give birth while in custody.
Her questions followed a recent case in which a young woman who was about to give birth was sent to prison. ‘There is also at least one case of a family with young children that are going through the courts system with the likelihood of imprisonment of both parents,’ she said.
In addition, all deputies have received a letter written by a concerned mother of two young children, whose partner was given an eight-year prison sentence for cannabis offences.
As well as describing vividly her children’s distress, the woman spoke of the ‘hidden sentence’ – which Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said demonstrated ‘the wider effects of the criminal justice system on the children and families, the cost of imprisonment to society and long-term cost of mental health and rehabilitation of offenders.
She asked the questions of Home Affairs to understand what support was available to pregnant women going to prison and what provision there was for children to engage with imprisoned parents, and how that fitted with the island’s engagement with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
‘Imprisonment of parents has very serious repercussions on the lives of children and the wider family, so I wanted to understand how these rights are considered in criminal justice as well as decisions that can be taken by the prison such as in relation to release on temporary licence arrangements,’
said Deputy Kazantseva-Miller.
‘I would like to see a more open conversation about the effects of the criminal justice system on our community, especially when children, who have additional rights under [the]UN, are concerned.’
Such a discussion would be relevant to the current review of the justice system being carried out, which includes looking at alternatives to punitive measures for some drugs offences. ‘There is a fine balance between ensuring a trusted and robust justice system to keep the community safe and the costs and repercussions of such as system.
‘Perhaps it’s time for the conversation what the right balance is for Guernsey going forward.’
