President Dr Irfaan Ali Friday announced a range of measures in the pipeline to not only fight crime but reform the lives of criminals in Guyana.
In a passionate live broadcast, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces announced that a programme would soon be launched to reform criminals who want to change their lives. The programme will be premised on confidentiality.
“Once you want to change your life, we want a discussion with you. We want to talk to you to give you an alternative pathway to earning an income and living a decent life. The life of crime is short-lived, you may have in your head short-term glory, but it’s short-lived. We want to work with you in giving you a better option at life,” the Head of State said.
Additionally, the President also said that there will be a period for gun amnesty, where persons with illegal firearms can turn over their weapons.
Amnesty would also help persons to change their lives since, according to the Head of State, he has charged Attorney General Anil Nandlall to examine the existing laws and make amendments to ensure that the full force of the law is applied to persons with illegal weapons.
He said he has asked Nandlall to look at the laws and to propose an amendment to apply the highest penalty for persons found with illegal weapons because that is a major contributory factor for crime.
