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...

Projects geared toward youth development will be the main focus of the new LASCO Police Officer of the Year for 2016/2017, Corporal Kimaryo Pinnock. Corporal Pinnock, who was selected from among 12 officers, walked away with the award at a ceremony, held at the Pegasus Hotel on March 30. His first project will be centred around values and attitudes, while...

To strengthen its surveillance and cargo scanning capabilities, the Jamaica Customs Agency is seeking to acquire a fixed portal (scanning unit). In an interview with JIS News, Commissioner of Customs, Major (Ret’d) Richard Reese, said acquisition of the equipment would result in increased revenue and improved border protection. “We will be able to identify products inside the container more accurately...