JUST Programme gets $125 Million

A sum of $125.08 million has been allocated for initiatives under the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) programme.

The amount is provided in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project seeks to improve the service delivery and management capacity of justice sector institutions; improve the capacity of Ministries, Department and Agencies to coordinate and streamline the process of developing legislation; and to improve the capacity of citizens and civil society organisations to participate in justice reform and promote public order.

So far the programme has developed a citizen scorecard and conducted island-wide survey; prepared a prosecutors manual and document on standards of professional conduct; reviewed the roles and functions of Justices of the Peace as Lay Magistrates; and conducted preliminary work on the social component of justice.

Other achievements include: commencing the review of the communication system in the Justice Sector; drafting of legislation to reform the justice system; reforming the legislative policy; and developing and implementing monitoring and coordination mechanisms for the justice sector, including justice reform subprojects and initiatives.

Targets for the 2016/17 financial year include the procurement of Information and Communications Technology equipment for the following – Ministry of Justice; Legal Reform Department; Attorney General’s Chambers; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Office of the Parliamentary Counsel; and the Courts.

Other targets include developing and implementing training and professional development programmes for personnel from the following – Ministry of Justice; Legal Reform Department; Attorney General’s Chambers; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

The project is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and Global Affairs Canada.