Participants at the hands on plea bargaining training at Masindi
MASINDI: The Principal Judge, Dr Yorokamu Bamwine, officiated at a hands-on Plea Bargaining Programme at Masindi Government Prison.
The training, which attracted stakeholders in the criminal justice system targeted inmates, advocates, judicial officers, Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution as well as prison officials.
The Principal Judge said Plea Bargaining encouraged inmates to have an interface with the presiding Judicial Officer before signing on agreements.
Prof. Jim Gash from Pepperdine University said the university is committed to making the process efficient and cost effective.
He said: "Pepperdine has and will continue to train advocates, prosecutors and judicial officers on effective case management."
One hundred and fifty inmates have expressed interest for Plea Bargaining at Masindi Prison. This came on the heels of a recently concluded Plea Bargaining session where 86 bargains were concluded.
In his remarks, the representative of the Commissioner General of Prisons, Mr. Henry Natwaluma, said there is a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed by stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
Mr Natwaluma, who is also the OC Masindi Prisons, said since the initiative was launched in 2016 at Masindi High Court, at least four plea bargaining sessions have been held.
He commended Plea Bargaining as an initiative that helps accused persons access justice faster.
The Masindi Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Rugadya Atwoki, said the training was timely as all actors in the justice chain needed it.
The Chairperson of the Judicial Training Committee, Hon. Lady Justice Stella Arach Amoko, urged all stakeholders to embrace plea bargains because of its immense benefits such as reconciliation.
She equally appealed to defense counsel on State Brief Scheme not to ask their clients for money.
Posted 19th, June 2018
