Citizens Security and Justice Programme Receives $682.8m

An allocation of $682.8 million has been set aside in the 2008/09 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives, for the Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) in the Ministry of National Security.
The Programme, which commenced in September 2001, is aimed at preventing and reducing violence; strengthening the crime management capabilities of the security forces, and improving the delivery of judicial services. Twice extended in September 2005 and March 2007, the programme is scheduled to end in September 2008.
Up to January 2008, the CSJP had seen the: development of an integrated management system, linking the courts, Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); training of 80 DCS staff members in the new Risk/Needs Assessment Instrument for incarcerated offenders; training of 128 Family Court staff members in Kingston and St. James; completion of 20 Rapid Impact projects in 13 communities; refurbishing of the reception areas at the Cross Roads, Central, and Allman Town police stations; provision of educational and training opportunities, inclusive of scholarships, to 4,000 persons; and establishment of 13 Community Action Committees (CAC), from which 135 persons were trained in organizational development and leadership skills.
Other achievements included: delivery of educational, cultural, and conflict resolution services to approximately 7,000 persons in 15 communities by six Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs); renovation of community multi-purpose centres at Fletcher’s Land and Tower Hill, which have been furnished and equipped.
Work is ongoing at six others, including Cassia Park and Drewsland, which are at various stages of completion. Under the programme violence prevention programmes have been implemented in six communities in St. James, and one in Westmoreland; and equipment has been provided for the St. James Resident Magistrate’s Court. Work is also currently in progress on contract to design the Department of Correctional Services’ Transformation Centre, of which the scope of works is to be expanded.
Anticipated targets for 2008/09 are: substantial completion and implementation of the Integrated Management Information System; completion of the Drewsland Community Multi-purpose Centre; and renovation and equipping of the Denham Town, August Town, Waterhouse and Parade Gardens multi-purpose centres; completion of seven Rapid Impact Projects; provision of certified skills training (HEART/NTA Certification) to approximately 1,000 persons drawn from 15 communities; and delivery of educational/conflict resolution services to approximately 3,000 persons, strengthening of 10 parenting groups, and establishing four cultural groups by six NGOs.
The programme will also seek to provide: tuition support to approximately 150 secondary and tertiary students, and back-to-school assistance to 150 primary school students; administrative support for 15 Community Action Committees; complete design work and commence construction/refurbishment work on the DCS Transformation Centre, and continuation of violence prevention programmes in the communities of Granville, Farm Heights, Mount Salem, Salt Spring, North Gully, and Flankers in St. James, and Russia in Westmoreland.
Funding for the CSJP is being jointly provided by the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).