Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs

Role and Responsibilities

This Unit is tasked with the continued transformation and operationalizing of the criminal justice sector, through collaborative improvements with respective stakeholders, by simultaneously addressing four (4) critical pillars; “Plant and Machinery, People, Processes and Laws”. The Criminal Justice Unit is responsible for spearheading ongoing criminal justice reform projects and performing the following key functions:

  • Providing legal advice to the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and other Government Departments regarding the Criminal Justice System and related matters;
  • Reviewing and analysing the existing body of law relating to particular issues relevant to the Justice sector and making recommendations for continuous revisions and amendments to laws;
  • Developing policies for justice reform and conducting consultations with key stakeholders;
  • Developing mechanisms for the effective management, supervision and support of offenders from charge to completion of sentence and reintegration into society;
  • Devising policies aimed at reducing re-offending;
  • Preparing documents for submission to Cabinet and Parliament, including Cabinet Notes and Ministerial Responses to Parliamentary Committees;
  • Representing the Ministry at local, regional and international levels;
  • Promoting programmes designed to enhance public awareness of Justice initiatives;
  • Performing key administrative functions and preparing periodic reports to the Permanent Secretary on the status of all Justice projects;
  • Undertaking any other duties which the Honourable Attorney General, Minister or Permanent Secretary deems necessary for the Unit to conduct.