10 Caribbean Countries Receive Training for Safer Custody, Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Two projects join forces to strengthen correctional systems in the Caribbean, by combining national, regional and international expertise and a shared commitment to more effective and accountable and rights-based justice.
Responding to the priorities and identified needs of national correctional, probation and parole services, the Partnership of the Caribbean and European Union on Justice (PACE Justice) Project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the European Union and the Government of Canada-funded Judicial Strengthening for the Eastern Caribbean (JES-EC) Project implemented by the Justice Education Society of British Columbia, are collaborating to strengthen correctional, probation and parole practice across the region from September to November 2026.
As part of this partnership, the training initiative will be implemented across 10 Caribbean countries. Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. Together, these 10 national training interventions will provide opportunities to address country-specific priorities and challenges, while facilitating the exchange of regional and international experience and identifying practical approaches to strengthening correctional, probation and parole services across the region.
These joint sessions recently concluded in Grenada (23 – 25 Sept) and St Vincent and the Grenadines (29 Sept – 1 Oct) brought together correctional, probation and parole practitioners to examine practical approaches to custody, rehabilitation, probation, parole and reintegration. Participants will leverage regional and international experience to identify solutions that can be applied within the Caribbean context, with a focus on strengthening custodial management, advancing effective rehabilitation, improving coordinated case management and creating stronger pathways to reintegration. This collective approach thereby contributes to safer correctional environments and stronger justice systems.
Speaking on the importance of the regional training programme, PACE Justice Project Specialist, Vanessa Untiedt said: “It is important that we look at the justice system as a whole. Prison, probation and parole are an essential part of the justice chain, and the people working in these services face very practical challenges every day. Through this regional training, we want to bring them together, share experiences and provide practical tools that support their daily work, while strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration across the region.”
Head of Cooperation for the Eastern Caribbean, Jennifer Cooper, highlighted the importance of strong justice institutions to regional stability and development. “Regional peace and security is a priority for Canada, and we are proud to support partners working to strengthen justice institutions across the Eastern Caribbean. Effective justice systems uphold the rule of law, protect citizens’ rights, build public confidence and contribute to safer communities. By bringing practitioners together to share expertise and practical solutions, we expect that this initiative will strengthen institutional capacity and support more responsive and effective justice services across the region.”
Project Director of the Judicial Strengthening for the Eastern Caribbean Project, Lyndel Archibald underscored the value of collaboration among justice practitioners. She said: “Bringing practitioners together fosters a collaborative approach to justice and rehabilitation. This collaboration enhances the capacity of practitioners to work together seamlessly to improve outcomes for individuals and communities, ultimately strengthening opportunities for rehabilitation, successful reintegration and reduced recidivism.”
Across the 10 training events, practitioners will have the opportunity to examine existing practices, share experiences and identify practical approaches that can be adapted to their national contexts. The initiative is intended to strengthen the connections between custody, rehabilitation, probation, parole and reintegration, while supporting more coordinated approaches to risk management, case management and the safe transition of individuals back into society.
Ultimately, this initiative seeks to support practical improvements across participating jurisdictions and contribute to stronger, more responsive justice systems throughout the Caribbean.
