The Government has set aside $510 million in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives, to boost the operations of the Jamaica Defence Force. Of the total amount, $350 million will be given to the Coast Guard, to facilitate the refitting of offshore patrol vessels. Another $100 million will be allocated to the Air Wing, to...

A sum of $150.02 million has been allocated in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure for the Caribbean Anti-Corruption Programme. As outlined in the Estimates, now before the House of Representatives, the project is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), to support the work of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). Anticipated targets for the fiscal year include increasing...

Two of the island’s correctional facilities are slated to be improved this fiscal year through a $253 million allocation to the Construction and Improvement of Correctional Facilities project, in the Ministry of National Security. As contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the money will go towards completing construction of the new 306-bed dormitory...

Construction and improvement works will be undertaken at several police stations this fiscal year, under a $190 million project. The project, entitled ‘Construction and Improvement of Police Buildings’, is being implemented by the Ministry of National Security and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). As contained in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the money will...

A sum of $27.2 million has been allocated to the Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. It seeks to provide detailed and accurate analysis of major crime trends in Jamaica, in order to inform the Government’s response in improving public security measures. It also aims to measure the extent...

More than  $1 billion has been allocated to the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) III, to carry out crime and violence prevention programmes in targeted communities. This is outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives. The money allocated for the new fiscal year will go towards the continuation of social interventions in 50...

The Government will, this year, focus on piloting legislation and policies aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of citizens, in keeping with Jamaica’s commitment to international human rights agreements. These include: the National Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy; enactment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Legislation; and completing the parliamentary review of the Sexual Offences Act. This was announced by Governor-General, His Excellency...