Justice Minister Considering Joint Select Committee to Review Expungement Eligibility

Justice Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says he is considering establishing a joint select committee to examine the expansion of offences eligible for expungement.

This forms part of the plans Mr. Chuck is keen to continue, following his reappointment to the portfolio during Wednesday’s (September 17), Swearing-in Ceremony for Cabinet Ministers at King’s House.

While underscoring the importance of second chances, the Minister questioned whether a defined period of good conduct – where individuals do not reoffend – could be considered as a criterion for expanding the list of offences currently ineligible for expungement.

“We have a number of them that cannot be expunged. But the question arises… after a certain length of time, [maybe] 20, 30 years and without any further crimes in the society, should they be given an opportunity for those crimes to be expunged?” he reasoned.

“Many thousands of people have had the opportunity to get a second chance, and we want the opportunity to widen the number of offences that could be expunged. That is now before Parliament and I will probably set up a joint select committee to look at what offences could be expunged,” Mr. Chuck told JIS News.

He stated that with this third consecutive term in Government, he intends to continue the many successful programmes currently being pursued by the Ministry, including restorative justice, victim services, child diversion, and expungement.

However, Minister Chuck noted that the Justice Ministry also intends to play its part in fostering a more peaceful Jamaica.

He highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of National Security and the police, which have led to the dismantling of gangs and a reduction in murders. However, he noted that incidents of conflict and abuse remain too frequent.

“One of the things that I will be aiming for is to make Jamaica the most peaceful Caribbean country. We are on that road… but we have far too many incidents of conflict, and not only conflict, but abuses within our homes, within our neighbourhoods, our communities,” Minister Chuck said.

“The focus of my Ministry, while I am there for the next few years, is not [only] for people to have easy access to justice, but whether we can forge more peaceful partnerships amongst everyone,” he added.

Mr. Chuck was among 18 Cabinet Members sworn in by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during Wednesday’s ceremony.