This policy research was conducted by Transparency International Rwanda, with support from the Legal Aid Forum under its Legal Aid Civil Society Fund in 2022. The overall objective of this study was to promote the effective implementation of alternatives to imprisonment for improved access to justice. More specifically, the study aimed to advocate for increased use of alternatives to imprisonment in Rwanda.
Findings from this research reveal that there existence of various alternatives to imprisonment in Rwanda even though they are usually not considered in sentencing largely due to various reasons among which the following include.; 1) Limitations imposed by the legislation on alternatives such as mandatory minimum sentences that judges must observe; 2) Limited public awareness about existing alternatives to imprisonment 3) Excessive use of imprisonment, especially in pre-trial detention, among others.
This research suggests recommendations that can help to improve the use of alternative measures to imprisonment in Rwanda like. 1) amend the 2018 Law on offenses and penalties in general to remove all offenses with mandatory minimum sentences; 2) organize training on alternatives to imprisonment for judges, prosecutors, investigators, and defense lawyers; 3) provide adequate resources to all institutions in charge of implementing alternatives to imprisonment for their effective implementation; 4) organize regular training and public awareness campaigns on alternatives to imprisonment, among others.