Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says that changes are to be made to the Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreement) Act in order to make the legislation more effective and to speed up the pace at which justice is delivered to Jamaicans. The Act, which was introduced in 2006, and amended in 2010, allows persons accused of crimes to plead guilty and...

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Sir Dennis Byron, has called for increased use of technology by the police, particularly in Jamaica, to reduce crime. He contends that in Jamaica’s ongoing development of justice reform initiatives, technology must be pivotal in the interventions being considered to fight crime. “This includes the use of wireless surveillance, global positioning systems...

The Justice Ministry plans to train and equip several key stakeholders with the skills to identify incidence of human trafficking. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says up to 1,000 persons per month will be targeted over the next year. He said they include Justices of the Peace, pastors and teachers, who will also be sensitized about the appropriate interventions. The...

The Government is seeking to put measures in place to better protect children entangled in custody disputes between parents, particularly in cases of abduction. These measures include strengthening the law which deals with the issue - the Children (Guardianship and Custody) (Amendment) Act , 2016 - which members of the Senate approved on July 22, following a five-hour debate. The...

Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says the Government is focused on addressing delays in the courts as part of the fight against crime. “My objective is to set certain targets so that we can seek to achieve that. I have absolutely no doubt that no criminal case should stay in the courts longer than two years and in the Resident...

A well needed endorsement came on the heels of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (TIP).  In a proclamation dated July 19, 2016, Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, has declared July 24 – 30 as Jamaica’s Trafficking in Persons Week. The proclamation speaks to the pervasive crime of Trafficking in Persons and the pivotal role of the activities...

Debate on a Bill to provide for the implementation of restorative justice procedures in the formal justice system began in the House of Representatives on July 19. The Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Justice (Reform) Act, the Child Care and Protection Act, the Corrections Act and the Parole Rules. This will be done under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Amendment)...