By Tabora Bojang
In a bid to promote consistency and transparency in sentencing, the Chief Justice of The Gambia Hassan B Jallow has established a Sentencing Council which will produce guidelines on sentencing for use of the courts in criminal matters, according to a statement from the Office of the Chief Justice.
The Council which comprises a Justice of the Supreme Court as chairperson deputised by a Justice of the Appeal Court, two Justices of the High Court, the Judicial Secretary, head of the Judiciary Training Institute, the Master and Registrar of the High Court, the Chief Magistrate and two principal Magistrates held its inaugural meeting last month.
It is expected that the Council’s developed guidelines will contribute to promoting consistency in justice process.
The sentencing guidelines will also provide the courts with a structured approach to administer just and proportionate sentences with the Council responsible for monitoring their use and effectiveness.
In the discharge of its functions, the Council is required to hold consultations with the public and other stakeholders in the criminal justice process, submit sentencing recommendations and annual activity reports to the Chief Justice.
