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The Ministry of Justice will be partnering with the Ministry of Education to implement restorative practices within the education system. “We intend to partner with the (Education) Ministry to ensure that the option is available to our schools so that we can mitigate some of the challenges that our schools face in handling conflicts,” said Permanent Secretary in the Justice...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding says finding alternative ways of resolving small disputes, using the restorative justice approach, can prevent needless altercations, while ensuring a more peaceful and harmonious society. “I think Jamaica needs an approach like (restorative justice) for dealing with some of the minor things that happen from day-to-day around us, because we have seen…where...

The fifth restorative justice centre established by the Government of Jamaica was opened on Monday, February 4, at the Trench Town Multipurpose Centre in St. Andrew. The facility is the first of three to be opened this week as part of activities to mark Restorative Justice Week 2013. The others will be opened in Russia, Westmoreland on February 5; and...

Participants in the programmes of the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) in the Ministry of National Security will soon have to undergo psychological testing, as the organisation moves to improve their courses. Senior Community Action Co-ordinator at the CSJP, Orville Simmonds says the testing will fulfill the CSJP’s objectives of providing efficient educational, employment and empowerment initiatives that are...

The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) has welcomed the community of Gordon Pen, St. Catherine, to its family with the use of the PeaceMobile and Information Village, at an event held today (January 17), at the Eltham Park Primary School and Gordon Pen Football Field in Spanish Town. “The PeaceMobile marks entry into new communities and forms part of...

New Custos Rotulorum for the parish of Westmoreland, Canon Hartley Perrin, has ascended to the high office with great vision and prospects for the parish and its citizens. The Anglican Dean and Past President of the Westmoreland Lay Magistrates Association has an outstanding record of service in the parish, spanning more than 30 years, but feels that with his new...

Two judges, who have been appointed to serve in the Supreme Court, were sworn into office on (Monday) January 7, at a ceremony held at King’s House. They are: Hon. Justice Vivene Juliet Harris and Hon. Justice Sonia Bertram Linton, who have been appointed to serve as Puisine Judge and Master-in-Chambers, respectively. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, has welcomed the recent re-opening of the Morant Bay courthouse in St. Thomas. Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for judges to the Supreme Court, held at King’s House on Monday (January 7), Mrs. McCalla said the re-opening of the newly constructed facility will now allow cases to be returned to that parish after more than...

Ministry of Justice is actively pursuing full implementation of Restorative Justice to complement judicial proceedings, where reconciliation between the victims and perpetrators of crime and violence is deemed possible.  Restorative justice is defined as the process by which all parties with a stake in an offence come together to resolve the issue collectively, thereby embracing healing within the community and...

The House of Representatives passed amendments to the Spirit Licencing Act on Tuesday (December 4), to extend the opening hours for licenced bars and taverns. In opening the debate on the Bill, Attorney General Patrick Atkinson, noted that there has been a trend for operators to keep their facilities open well past the 9:00 p.m. cut off time and the...

The Evidence (Special Measures) Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 4), paving the way for the admissibility of evidence via live audio-visual links or video recordings in criminal and civil proceedings and in a coroner's inquest. Attorney-General, Hon. Patrick Atkinson, who piloted the legislation through the House, noted that the use of television live link...

Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, says that the various agencies that have responsibility for dealing with children in the justice system must be vigilant in safeguarding their rights as mandated by the Child Care and Protection Act. She was addressing the Kingston and St. Andrew Family Court Parent Month exposition on November 30, 2012 at the Jamaica Conference Centre. The...