The Plateau State Justice Sector Reform Team (JSRT) has begun efforts to improve the collection, management and analysis of criminal justice data in the state.
The initiative was the focus of a two-day training for judges, magistrates, legal officers, security personnel and other justice sector stakeholders held in Jos on September 28 and 29.
The training was organised by the JSRT with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) programme, implemented by International IDEA and funded by the European Union.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Chief Judge of Plateau State and Chairman of the JSRT, Justice David Mann, represented by Justice Arum Ashom, said reliable data was essential for identifying weaknesses and improving the justice system.
He stressed the need for institutions to ensure that data collected was accurate, complete, consistent, timely and properly analysed, while maintaining confidentiality.
Plateau State Coordinator of RoLAC, Mantim Dala, said effective data-driven justice systems depended on institutions consistently providing accurate information.
The Acting Secretary of the JSRT, Shetak Becklang, said the training would help address gaps in the implementation of the state’s central criminal records registry.
Participants were trained on criminal justice indicators, the state’s criminal justice data system, reporting templates, inter-agency data sharing, confidentiality and records management.
The organisers said the initiative is expected to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and improve the overall effectiveness of criminal justice administration in Plateau State.
