MOU Signed Between Ministry Of Justice And Project Star

The Ministry of Justice and Project STAR on Friday (January 31) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will allow the two organisations to work together in select communities to equip citizens with the requisite conflict resolution skills utilising a restorative approach.

Additionally, the Ministry will provide services from its Restorative Justice, Victim Services and Child Diversion programmes to the communities and with Project STAR establish a referral network system for people who need the services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s Constant Spring Road offices in Kingston, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck said the partnership will create a bridge between the formal justice system and the people who need it most.

“The need for engagement at the grassroots level, particularly with those who are underserved, it is important that we reach out to them…those that are often marginalized, at risk and trapped in cycles of violence, these individuals need more than just the punitive aspects of the justice system,” Mr. Chuck said.

“They need avenues that focus on healing, reconciliation and empowerment. They need opportunities for restorative practices that not only address harm, but prevents their recurrence,” he added.

Minister Chuck noted that the implementation of restorative services, victim services, and child diversion requires more than a top-down policy implementation.

“These are services that must be shaped by the realities of the communities. By engaging with individuals that are directly affected by these services, we ensure they are not just imposed from outside, but are relevant, accessible, and fully responsive to the needs of those who will use them,” he emphasized.

In his remarks, Project STAR Sponsor and Co- Chair of the Oversight Board, Keith Duncan outlined several of the activities to be undertaken by Project STAR.

“We will ensure that the communities are engaged, mobilized, provide training venues, schedule community hub sessions, facilitate access to Ministry of Justice services through referrals and collaboration. With this new partnership, we expect that we will impact about 1500 residents across our STAR communities,” he informed.

The communities engaged in the project are Rose Gardens and Parade Gardens in Kingston; May Pen, Clarendon; Salt Spring, St. James; and Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

“We believe it is a powerful tool for healing. We are going to be working for these community-based interventions, promote dialogue, accountability, and reconciliation. As we go forward from here, with great optimism that we are going to ensure that we deliver these services to our people because we believe in Jamaica, and we believe that every community can thrive,” Mr. Duncan said.

The Ministry, through its Social Justice Division will support this initiative by providing restorative practices (RP) training for STAR Foundation team facilitators, community leaders, to include trainers, and all training materials.

They will also facilitate the certification to all participants who complete the RP training with the understanding that participants must engage in all aspects of the programme in order to be certified.

An outline of the process for appropriate matters to be referred to the Restorative Justice, Victim Services, and Child Diversion branches, as well as the Legal Aid Council will also be provided.

There will also be participation in STAR Foundation Communities when opportunities arise for the Ministry to raise awareness of their role and services offered.

In addition, representatives will be assigned to facilitate access to the Ministry’s services including Legal Aid at mutually agreed locations which serve as community hubs, at mutually agreed dates and times, and a referral form that is to be used by Project STAR to refer participants to the Ministry’s Social Justice Services for monitoring and evaluation of the number of referrals.