Courthouses to be Upgraded at a Cost of $286 Million

Government has earmarked some $286 million this fiscal year to facilitate the construction and improvement of courthouses islandwide.
As contained in the 2007/08 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives, the money will be used to re-establish a courthouse in Morant Bay, St. Thomas; to effect repairs to the Resident Magistrate (RM) Court in Montego Bay; and to carry out architectural works in Mandeville.
The funds will also be used to upgrade electricity for the RM Courts in Montego Bay, St. James; Yallahs, St. Thomas; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; and Black River in St. Elizabeth.
During the year, refurbishing works will also be carried out at the RM Court in Spauldings, Clarendon; the Coroners/Traffic Court; the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
In addition, iJEMS and prosecuting attorney system (PAS) software to improve case management in the RM Courts and at the DPP will be purchased, in addition to jury management software.
During the 2006/07 financial year, repairs were done to fencing and rest rooms at RM Courts in Clarendon, St. James, Hanover, Manchester, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas, Westmoreland and Portland.
Repairs were also to be done at the Court of Appeal, DPP, Kingston and Portmore Family Courts, Justice Training Institute, Supreme Court, Sutton Street Court, Spanish Town RM Court, judges’ residences, Half-Way-Tree RM Court, and the Ulster Spring RM Court.
Computers were also provided to the Supreme Court Registry, DPP and the Court of Appeal. A further $25 million has been set aside to purchase 12 motor vehicles for judges and $2.6 million has been allocated to purchase two vehicles for the Ministry of Justice’s head office.