Online dashboard tracks nearly a decade of training in the Caribbean
February 14, 2024 - NCSC actively supports efforts to enhance justice systems in over 30 countries. One region, the Caribbean, has experienced exponential growth in its training efforts since 2014, according to recently released data.
NCSC-supported Workshops
Since 2014, more than 9,600 participants in Caribbean countries have received training in critical justice sector initiatives, including case management, digital court reporting, gang prosecution, federal crimes, financial crimes, plea bargaining, rapid deployment, and other areas of law.
In 2023, nearly 900 judicial officials from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, the Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago participated in NCSC-supported workshops.
NCSC is a leading partner of judicial institutions in the Caribbean, working to advance technology, enhance efficiency, and improve access to services. NCSC support is made possible through support of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Training Initiatives
Over the years, NCSC developed a user-friendly training initiative dashboard that tracks workshop participation in the Caribbean region and compares the individual workshop programs and the overall training initiative. Participating officials include judges, magistrates, attorneys, law enforcement officers, and other justice sector officials. To date, 97% of participants were satisfied with the workshops, and 99% reported improved skills.
One of the educational efforts is an online, hybrid training program, JUSTconnect, which was launched in May 2023 for judicial officers in Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. So far, there are 261 registered users on the platform.
“The JUSTconnect platform has been specifically designed with the judicial education needs of our judges and judicial officers at the forefront, from the initial concept through to its fruition,” said The Honourable Mr. Justice Ivor Archie, O.R.T.T., Chief Justice of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
NCSC manages the JUSTconnect program, which is part of the Caribbean Anti-Crime Program funded by the INL.
“Through JUSTconnect, NCSC has been able to expand training opportunities online, which enables participants to enhance their skills in ways that would not be possible through in-person training alone,” said NCSC Project Director JoAnne Richardson. “While in-person training will remain important, online options represent unlimited potential for professional development and specialization.”
NCSC International
NCSC supports international programs by integrating NCSC-developed judicial administration and access to justice best practices into the international rule of law reform initiatives.
Learn more about NCSC’s support of international judiciaries on the International Programs Division website.
CCJ President Anna Blackburne-Rigsby addresses ABA House of Delegates
The importance of ongoing efforts to increase public trust in state courts, address inequalities in the court system, and
evaluate legal education and bar admissions processes was among the priorities shared by Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby during her remarks to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates on February 5.
As president of the Conference of Chief Justices, Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby discussed efforts to address declining public trust in the courts among minority and disadvantaged communities. She highlighted two resources created to help courts improve fair outcomes: the Racial Justice Organizational Assessment Tool for State Courts and the Court Opportunity Recruitment for All (CORA) student recruitment tool.
Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby also spoke about two important CCJ initiatives currently underway. The Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR) is reviewing the state of legal education and bar admission processes and studying the decline of public interest and public sector attorneys. An AI Rapid Response Team is addressing the impact of artificial intelligence and how courts can use the technology effectively, efficiently, and ethically to promote the administration of justice.
Photo courtesy of the ABA