Formerly the Law Courts Education Society

Our work in Central America

History and Accomplishments

Justice Education Society

• Justice Education Society was established in 1989 as Law Courts Education Society.

• Our mission is to improve access to the justice system through hands-on,

targeted, two-way education between the public and those working in the justice system.

• Our programs have informed and educated more than a million people in the last 20 years.

Our commitment: “Justice through Knowledge”

International

Over the past 19 years, the Justice Education Society has been involved in international projects relating to "good governance and democratic institution building“ adapting the best international practices in different countries such

as China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, Guatemala, Mexico and Montenegro

Central America – completed projects

• 1999. A Canadian delegation travels to Guatemala to discuss the Bridging Justice Systems project between Guatemala and British Columbia.

• July 1999. Needs Assessment trip.

Bridging Justice Systems Project - Guatemala

Oral Trials Project – Guatemala

September 2000. Phase 1: Seminar in Guatemala City on Oral Trial training.

A training manual was produced

March 5-9, 2001. Phase 2 – Training on Oral Trials in Canada

Central America – completed projects

Central America – completed projects

• 2001- Feb 2004.

Crime Scene Examination Project – Guatemala

Between Sep. 2000 and Feb. 2004 more than 500 police officers and 600 prosecutors received Training on Basic Crime Scene Examination during 22 sessions all over Guatemala. A Training Manual was developed.

Training on Basic Crime Scene Examination Techniques.

• May – June 2004.

A 5- week Advanced

Course on Crime Scene

Techniques was delivered in Canada to 12 police officers and prosecutors

Phase 1• Training and Implementation in Guatemala

2004-2006• 500 crime scene investigators • 600 prosecutors• 300 firefighters• 300 police officers • Systems, manuals and forms were developed• 85 specialized vehicles purchased

Central America – completed projects

“Crime Scene Investigation in Central America: Experience and Challenges”

Crime Scene Examination Seminar

• March 2006

3-day seminar in Guatemala City.Participants came from different countries in Central America: Guatemala, Belice, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

Central America – completed projects

Phase 2 – Central America – Canada Training program on Major Crime Investigative Techniques and Major

Case Management

• November 2006

Needs-Assesment Trip. Focused on Guatemala.

•April – May 2007.

Course on Major Crime Investigative Techniques and Major Case Management

5-week course in Canada. Participants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico

Phase 2 – Guatemala (2007 until March 2009)

• Training, implementation and monitoring for 120 prosecutors from the Crimes Against Life Section of Public Porsecutor’s Office (case management, command triangle, interview techniques)

• Training for 300 investigators on basic techniques• Procedure Manual• Integration of Phase 1 and Phase 2 in a pilot model located in

Quetzaltenango

• November 2007. 2-week Monitoring trip to Guatemala on Major Crime Investigative Techniques and Major Case Management. Side trips to El Salvador and Honduras to discuss ongoing assistance

• March 2008. Executive Director of JES travels to Mexico for follow-up.

• April – May 2008. 2-week Monitoring trip to Guatemala on Major Crime Investigative Techniques

and Major Case Management. Side trips to El Salvador and Honduras to discuss ongoing assistance

Central America – Canada Strengthening Public Security Program

(training program on Major Case Management)

Current development

A decade of accumulated experience in the region has today evolved into a complete program of justice system development that consists of:

Needs AssessmentAdaptation of contents (tropicalization)Training Implementation of the modelMonitoring of the modelResults and impact evaluationInstallation of a permanent Training Model

Comprehensive Program

Strengthening the Justice Systems in Central America

• Multinational program for strengthening the justice systems in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

• This program focuses on the needs of the justice systems in the northern triangle region of Central America to respond to violent crime .

• The program offers a systemic approach that provides appropriate training to all segments of the justice sector, including police officers, prosecutors, crime scene technicians and investigators that take part in the investigation.

CommitmentsGood results and efficient implementation of the program can only be achieved by signing long-term agreements. Local authorities, by commiting to the project, are responsible for:

• authorizing the participation of staff, • allocating adequate resources, • adapting legislation, • re-structuring procedures and • providing equipment and infrastructure

to all new trained units for the purpose of these new practices being adopted by the justice system as a whole.

The program: Phase 1

Crime Scene Examination Techniques:

• Training for prosecutors and investigators in crime scene examination.

• How to protect the crime scene, to photograph and draw it, and how to collect and protect the basic physical evidence (e.g. finger prints, hair and fibres, blood and body fluids).

The program: Phase 2

Major Crime Investigative Techniques and Major Case Management:

• Training for prosecutors and investigators. • The command triangle, investigative techniques and case

management, and interviewing techniques.

The program: Phase 3

Training on Oral Trial Techniques:

• Training for prosecutors and judges. • Prosecutors – organizing the case for trial; witness preparation;

opening statement; physical evidence handling; direct examination; cross-examination; closing argument.

• Judges – court procedures, evaluation of physical and testimonial evidence and administration of the trial process.

 

Current Activities • Memorandum of Understanding with the Judiciary and Public

Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala• Memorandum of Understanding with the Public Prosecutor’s Office

of El Salvador and Honduras• October 2009: Train-the-Trainers course on Crime Scene

examination for Salvadorean and Honduran specialists• 2009 - 2013: Training and implementation of Phase 1 to 3 in El

Salvador and Honduras• Training course on Oral Trial Techniques for Guatemala, El

Salvador and Honduras

Special Methods of Investigation

This additional project aims to develop investigative capacities that will help Guatemalan

authorities with the implementation of Special Methods of Investigation.

Special Methods of Investigation Program 2009 - 2010

January – February 2009.

Seminar on Criminal Intelligence Analysis in Guatemala. Attended by 21 prosecutors, investigators and analysts from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Special Methods of Investigation Program 2009 - 2010

April 2009. Wiretap Course in Canada. Attended by 21 judges, prosecutors, police officers and intelligence agents from Guatemala.

August 2009. “Special Methods of Investigation: investigative and legal challenges” Seminar in Guatemala. Attended by 21 judges, prosecutors, police officers and intelligence agents from Guatemala.

March 2009. Surveillance course in Guatemala

ConclusionOur work in the region has consisted in establishing best

procedures and practices starting at the crime scene, where the investigation begins, and going right through to the trial, where the case is brought to its conclusion.

The overarching aim is to facilitate a succesful transition from the inquisitorial to the adversarial system of criminal

justice.

Formerly the Law Courts Education Society

www.JusticeEducation.ca