Bangladeshi delegation, including front l-r Home Minister, Advocate Shahara Khatun, Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Hamlin and Law Minister, Barrister Shafique Ahmed

Bangladeshi delegation keen on restorative justice approach after visit to Norfolk

Monday, September 10, 2012
2:00 PM

Restorative justice could be on its way to Bangladesh, thanks to a visit to Norfolk by a group of leading politicians.

The delegation, which included Law Minister, Barrister Shafique Ahmed and Home Minister, Advocate Shahara Khatun, spent last week in Norfolk with the police, local judiciary, solicitors and HMP Wayland, learning about UK criminal justice and policing systems.

They visited Bethel Street Police Station ito experience Restorative Justice conferences, and also went to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre, learnt about forensic techniques and met Norfolk’s Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Hamlin and Deputy Chief Constable Simon Bailey.

Bangladesh’s legal system works to laws passed in the 1860s which are no longer fit for purpose. Their prison system is severely overcrowded, with more than 70,000 detainees in prisons designed for 28,000.

Law Minister Barrister Ahmed said: “This has been a very interesting and educating visit. We are thinking of amending the law so that in future, only serious crimes go to court and plea bargaining and Restorative Justice are used to reduce prison numbers.”