exploratory study of victim participation in the justice systems of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad/Tobago

This study examines the nature and extent of victim participation in the criminal justice systems in the three Caribbean nations of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Through visits to the three island nations, observations were made; interviews were conducted with justice practitioners, including police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and victim advocates; conversations were held with citizens and several crime victims; observations of court proceedings were conducted; and documents were studied. Victim participation was considered in the context of the culture and within the theoretical framework of institutionalism and organized anarchies. Institutions were seen as both constraining forces with respect to victim participation and emerging entities as regards victim participation. Justice practitioners' perceptions of participation often matched and often varied from actual systems of participation that exist. In addition, there were instances wherein practitioners who had considerable contact with victims (police officers, prosecutors) had very little knowledge about victims' rights and/or the status of victim policy. Victims of crime in Jamaica have more services available to them than do victims in the other two nations, as there is a government network of victim service agencies in place there. Participation in the actual trial process is similar in each of the nations studied.