Minister of Justice, the Hon. Delroy Chuck, says plea bargaining could become a game changer for the criminal justice system. He argued that the initiative may ease some of the pressures of the country’s overburdened justice system. “The backlog in the court cannot continue. We have to buy into it, because with guilty plea, you save the country an enormous...

The Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III has successfully implemented the first phase of a Specialised Substance Misuse Treatment programme aimed at providing youngsters with the necessary support to ensure that they can benefit from the entity’s range of educational and employment opportunities. The programme is being undertaken through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Council on...

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) has trained and equipped 42 new parent mentors to serve communities. Under a 13-week programme undertaken in collaboration with the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), the community volunteers were empowered to provide guidance and support to families at risk or in need. The mentors will be incorporated in the training and support programmes...

The Government will be engaging in discussions with stakeholders to resolve issues surrounding entrance to the Norman Manley Law School, housed at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who said the matter was raised during the last meeting of the...

The Criminal Case Management Steering Committee has brought together stakeholders from across the judiciary who are committed to the implementation of measures to reduce case backlog. Chief Justice, Hon. Zaila McCalla, said the Committee, made up of representatives from a cross section of civil society agencies, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Director...

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States (US), Her Excellency Audrey Marks, is inviting Israelis to explore investment opportunities in Jamaica. Ambassador Marks, who addressed members of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy at its headquarters in Washington DC recently, urged members who have an interest in trade and investment to organise a delegation to Jamaica...

A Public Education Day hosted on October 25 at the Manchester Parish Court, to create awareness about the justice system and the work of the court, has been hailed a success and an important initiative. The event was the sixth in a series of Public Education Days being hosted across the island by the Judiciary of Jamaica, aimed at enhancing...