The Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit’s (CJRPU) website is now live and the public may access it at https://criminaljustice.gov.bb.
Director of the CJRPU, Cheryl Willoughby, said the website was launched today, to share and disseminate information to its stakeholders and the public.
“The website has been in the works for several years. We are finally able to provide another platform where members of the public can access information on crime and criminal justice issues.
“This website will offer current research on crime done by the department, as well as provide members of the public with opportunities to ask questions, interact with members of staff and join our pool of volunteers,” Ms. Willoughby stated.
The Director explained that the department would utilise this tool to inform the public on upcoming events, and highlight future projects. She added that the website represents the Unit’s community outreach and data sharing efforts.
“It is our desire to be a clearing house for information and statistics on crime and criminal justice, and this website is an excellent opportunity for the department to achieve this objective. We look forward to the public’s feedback on ways we can improve the website to make it as user-friendly as possible,” Ms. Willoughby said.
Featured on the website is an overview of the department, staff profiles, the department’s mascot “Charlie the Crime Stopper”; a publications section with newsletters, brochures, and magazines, as well as research information on crime and the criminal justice sector.
Also highlighted on the website is information on how to volunteer with the Unit, and the opportunities and benefits of doing so.
The Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit is the research component of the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, and the hub for the Barbados Crime Observatory. Its mandate is to collate, examine and analyse data related to the incidence of crime, as well as conduct primary research focusing on all areas of the criminal justice system.
Based on evidence gleaned from research, the department also advises the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs on policies and/or strategies that respond to criminality in Barbados.