A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Education and Youth for the use of restorative justice practices in schools is to be amended. The Education Ministry’s Director for Safety and Security in Schools, Richard Troupe, says the MOU will be revised to include mandatory referral of students suspended for their involvement in conflicts...

Jamaicans are being implored to make use of the services available at the restorative justice (RJ) centres in their communities to peacefully settle disputes with each other. “In petty discussions, petty quarrels [there is] the inability of some of us to give some ground and to compromise. So restorative justice [plays] a key role in cauterising some of the issues...

The Justice Ministry is seeking to move towards a paperless court system this year, says Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck. In an interview with JIS News, Minister Chuck said this will form part of the Ministry’s efforts at continuing the improvement in technology. “It is important that we have an integrated technology system that connects the Director of Public Prosecutions,...

The church is being encouraged to become proactive in getting more Jamaicans to use restorative justice (RJ) to resolve conflicts and maintain peace within their communities. Making the call, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said despite the proven effectiveness of the alternative dispute resolution strategy, not enough cases are being referred to Restorative Justice Centres, 20 of which are located...

The Ministry of Justice is aiming to expand its alternative Justice Programme offerings, with a focus on vulnerable groups. In an interview with JIS News, Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, said not all cases have to go before the court to be addressed. “We know that we have a fair amount of domestic abuse, and these abused persons should really...

Youngsters in the parish of Portland who are victims of crimes and other abuse, now have a child-friendly centre where they can get counselling and other support services. The facility, which is located at the Ministry of Justice’s Victim Support Division (VSD), Portland office, at Shops 8 and 9, Bryan’s Bay Plaza, Port Antonio, was made possible through a US$6.7-million...

The Government is moving to amend the Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) to provide harsher penalties for murder. Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, in outlining the measures during a Ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on January 24, said that in Section 3(1)(b) of the OAPA, the proposed amendment is to increase the mandatory minimum sentence of...