Lands have been identified for construction of a new state-of-the-art correctional facility to replace the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre located in Kingston. The new structure is expected to cost at least $8 billion. This was revealed by Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, in an interview with JIS News following the orientation session...

Since the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) was declared in Denham Town on October 17, 2017, more than 30 unique social-intervention activities have been completed. Over 2,500 residents have benefited directly and over 8,000 indirectly. These activities include health services, infrastructure upgrade, educational projects, youth development, behaviour modification and entrepreneurship. The information is contained in the Denham Town Community Zone...

The Mount Salem Zone of Special Operations continues to be supported by significant investments in both human development and physical transformation through the Government of Jamaica, non-governmental organisations and multilateral development partners, including the World Bank. So far, more than $200 million has been spent, with a further $80 million in new activities under active implementation. This expenditure has been...

The Senate on Friday (July 23) approved the regulations and rules associated with the Microcredit Act. They are the Microcredit Fees Regulations, the Microcredit Requirements for Grant of Licence Regulations and the Microcredit Licence Form of Applications rules. The Microcredit Act was passed in the House of Representatives on January 19 and in the Senate on January 22. Piloting the...

As the nation prepares to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is calling on the public to become more knowledgeable about human trafficking to help in safeguarding vulnerable persons against becoming victims of the crime.  Sub-Officer in charge of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad, Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC), Detective Inspector Kemisha Gordon, said that “one of the challenges that we face in conducting investigations is the lack of awareness of persons in being...

The Ministry of National Security (MNS) National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) says that the reintegration of victims of trafficking into society is a crucial aspect of the Task Force’s mandate. The NATFATIP was established in June 2005 as a multi-agency approach to enhance national capacity and develop and implement Jamaica’s legislative, institutional and operational response for combatting...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be going after parents and guardians involved in the trafficking of their children. Sub-Officer in charge of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad, Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC), Detective Inspector Kemisha Gordon, said there is “a troubling trend” regarding children who report to have been trafficked since the start of 2021. “Last...