The Government has identified land in St. Catherine to construct a state-of-the-art correctional facility. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the Sugar Corporation of Jamaica has been “quite generous” in providing approximately 300 acres, “so that we can build a proper modern [facility].” He was responding to questions during Tuesday’s (March 1) meeting...

The Ministry of National Security is moving to review and amend the legislation governing the private security industry in Jamaica. Speaking with JIS News, State Minister in the Ministry, Zavia Mayne, said the review of the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) Act, which was passed in 1992, is necessary to bring clarity to the issues concerning security guards. “One of...

A new police station will be constructed at Stony Hill, St. Andrew, as part of the Government’s efforts to modernise and upgrade the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who broke ground for the station on February 24, said its construction is a “strategic direction” of the Government’s crime-fighting efforts. “You will notice that we...

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has said that the security forces must be commended for their professionalism and hard work in stemming the flow of crime in several volatile communities in Westmoreland. Addressing reporters in the parish capital (Savanna-la-Mar) on Friday (February 25), Minister McKenzie said that since the implementation of a Zone of Special...

The Government is embarking on a major social investment initiative, aimed at curtailing crime and violence in vulnerable schools and communities across Jamaica. The ‘Violence Prevention in Targeted Vulnerable Communities and Schools in Jamaica’ Programme will be spearheaded by the Ministry of National Security, with US$7 million in funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Deputy...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) will be formally brought into the ‘Get Every Illegal Gun’ campaign, to strengthen the efforts against the illicit importation of guns through the country’s ports. This was stated by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, at the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Stony Hill Police Station in St. Andrew West Rural, on February 24....

Four inmates and two correctional services officers are to benefit from scholarships to study for an Associate Degree in Business Administration at the University at the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) under a government and private-sector partnership. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the award of the six full scholarships, was signed on Wednesday (February 23) by representatives from the Ministry...