The Joint Select Committee on Finance and Legal Affairs has commenced an inquiry into the feasibility of widening the availability of non-custodial penalties in the Criminal Justice System.
As part of its inquiry process, the Committee is inviting all stakeholders and interested persons to submit written comments/suggestions related to the following objectives of the inquiry:
- To assess the efficacy of non-custodial penalties in dealing with the backlog of criminal cases.
- To determine whether non-custodial penalties may ameliorate high recidivism rates.
- To ascertain what are the critical requirements/prerequisites for the wider application of non-custodial sanctions in the administration of justice.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY JANUARY 18, 2019.
Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Committee as stated below or can be forwarded via e-mail to jscfla@ttparliament.org.
The Secretary
The Joint Select Committee on Finance and Legal Affairs
Office of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago
Levels G-9, Tower D
International Waterfront Centre
1A Wrightson Road
Port of Spain
Guidelines for making written submissions
There are four (4) basic principles that should be observed when making submissions in relation to an inquiry:
- Relevance – Your submission must be relevant to the matter before the Committee. A Committee cannot give consideration to a submission which is not relevant to its objectives.
- Clarity – A clear and logically developed argument should be presented. A submission that jumps from one issue to another or that contains convoluted information will confuse Members and decrease its impact.
- Conciseness – Be simple and direct. Do not write more than is necessary. Committees cannot fully consider overly long submissions. Be crisp in the presentation of your views and the reasoning that supports your view.
- Accuracy – Be accurate and complete. Include supporting material for all references made in your submission. Ensure that your content is factual.
Your submission should contain your name and address or the name and address of the association or organization making the submission. Include a brief introduction of the persons or organizations submitting evidence with details of their qualifications and expertise.
In addition to the guidelines outlined above, a written submission should:
- contain an Executive Summary to facilitate ease of reading;
- include any recommendations for action by the government or other entities, which the witness would like the Committee to consider; and
- be submitted in both print and electronic form
However, submissions should not:
- consist mainly of material already published elsewhere, although such material can be properly referenced or attached to the submission;
- include comments on matters currently before a court of law or matters in respect of which court proceedings are imminent; or
- contain irrelevant and unjustified allegations.