On Lake Independence Boulevard in Belize City, the Community Rehabilitation Department (CRD) stands as Belize’s lead juvenile-justice agency, offering hope and direction to young people at a pivotal moment in their lives.
With financial support by the European Union (EU) since 2024 and technical support provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union on Justice Programme, known as PACE Justice programme, the CRD’s National Diversion Program provides 12 to 17-year-olds in contact with the law with an alternative to incarceration. These youths are guided through court advocacy, counselling, life-skills workshops, and after-school activities, all under one roof at The HUB Resource & Community Center.
The EU provides financial assistance at global level to support child-friendly justice initiatives including diversion measures and alternatives to detention for children in conflict with the law. Research at global level has shown than youth diversion is a more effective way to address low-level criminal behaviour than formal criminal justice processing and often leads to reducing the caseload of reoffending cases. Diversion focuses on the promotion of rehabilitation over punishment of minors and young people. The objective of diversion initiatives is to divert children and youth away from formal criminal justice system with a view to enrolling in alternative pathways, which are often community-based options.
At its core, the National Diversion Program in Belize is built on five interlocking units. The Court & Case Management team advocates for each youth in court, compiles social inquiry reports, and leads conflict-mediation and life-skills sessions. The Counselling Services Unit offers culturally sensitive, age-appropriate therapy for both individuals and families. Meanwhile, the Criminal Records Secretariat ensures administrative oversight of rehabilitation tracking and record expungement. The vibrant HUB itself hosts sports, fine and expressive arts, technology clubs, and vocational training. Finally, the New Beginnings Youth Development Center provides residential care and structured aftercare for those remanded by the courts.
Early results speak to the program’s reach and effectiveness. In 2024 alone a total of 110 youth completed the youth diversion programme (102 via Family Court; 8 via Police diversion). Of these 91% of participants were male and 9% female. The average age of young people most frequently referred to the programme is 16–17 years old. Between January and April 2025, a total of 51 new cases were opened (49 Court; 2 Police), with a 70% acceptance rate into the programme. Cases not accepted normally involve more serious offenses where diversion is not an option or may have been dismissed.
Behind each statistic is a young life redirected. For 18-year-old Giovanni Sutherland, introduction to CRD came when his case manager joined him in court. Initially hesitant, Giovanni agreed at his parents’ urging to take part in the National Diversion Program. “It gave me a good feeling because they really helped me,” he recalls. Through regular one-on-one sessions, he was taught to “stable myself” and to distinguish right from wrong. He quickly noticed smaller victories: “I don’t get ignorant like before… I stay out of trouble.” At home, family ties are strengthened: “I get closer to them like how I used to be.” Today, Giovanni divides his time between program activities and working alongside his father on their boat, Pringles, diving and fishing towards a future he’s eager to build.
Giovanni’s father offers an equally powerful testament: “He was on the honour roll, but jealous peers tried to pull him into gangs. This program taught him to set goals, stay focused, and not get led astray.” When asked if he’d recommend the National Diversion Program, Giovanni’s answer is simple: “It helps me not get myself into problems.”
In addition to providing a life changing opportunity for youth beneficiaries of the programme, the action of redirecting young people who committed minor offenses from formal judicial processing to youth diversion initiatives, also directly contributes to addressing the backlog of criminal cases. In fact by reducing the number of youths entering the criminal system, youth diversion reduces the strain on court resources and allows the judiciary to prioritize more serious cases.
Looking ahead, CRD plans to extend diversion services into new districts, deepen collaborations with police and schools, and strengthen its aftercare mentor networks.
With sustained EU financial support and UNDP expertise, CRD envisions a Belize where early intervention and community support replace harsh labels and where every youth has the tools and opportunity to thrive. Youth diversion offers an opportunity to young people to avoid criminal records that could hinder their future. By investing in their personal development rather than punitive measures, it contributes to breaking the cycles of crime and fostering safer communities in Belize.