A public education programme, aimed at increasing the awareness of the laws of Jamaica, is to be implemented. This was disclosed by Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, during her contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 7. Mrs. Malahoo Forte informed that the public education programme will augment awareness...

Cabinet has approved the establishment of legislative teams within all ministries to help make the process of developing government policies more streamlined. This is part of efforts by the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs to strengthen inter-Ministry collaboration, to advance the Government’s legislative agenda. The teams will include the relevant policy officers, legal officers, and senior officers at the...

The Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs is taking steps to reduce the extensive time and effort expended to identify gazette notices and laws, by introducing a comprehensive Jamaica Legal Information Portal (JLIP). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, said the Ministry has forged a Memorandum of Understanding with Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) for the project, which is expected to...

A Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC), to include representatives from the Government, Parliamentary Opposition, relevant experts, and the wider society, is to be appointed to ensure Jamaica’s smooth transition to a Republic. Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, made the announcement during her 2022/23 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 7). “I...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is expanding the number of neighbourhood watches and police youth clubs across the island. The objective is to increase positive engagement between citizens and the police, which is critical in reducing crime and violence in society. “We have a 110 active Police Youth Clubs across the island, and we are expanding that,” said Minister of...

Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Horace Chang, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to the rehabilitation of offenders. “We have challenges within our prison system, but we have done much work in dealing especially with our juvenile members… . There is a ‘We Transform Youth Empowerment Programme’, which is going extremely well,” Dr. Chang said. He...

Ten Domestic Violence Intervention Centres (DVICs) have been established at police stations islandwide. In addition to the established DVICs, there has been the hosting of domestic violence pop-up clinics islandwide by the police to sensitise the public on domestic violence issues. “In 2021, 544 civilians were trained as first responders to domestic violence across the island, while 108 police officers...