Prison CoI report criticises lengthy sentences of judge

A High Court judge has been singled out in the Prison Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report for the lengthy sentences he has been handing down to persons convicted of murder in recent years.

“The Commission noted that one judge has adopted a seemingly personalized approach to sentencing which makes a mockery of the concept of sentencing policy. He is responsible over recent years for sentencing 13 offenders to a total of 1038 years in prison, an average sentence of 80 years,” the report which was handed over to President David Granger last month said.

According to the section of the report which deals with sentencing policy, the laws of Guyana do not support “this irresponsible approach to crime and punishment” that is being handed down by this particular judge.