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PM Announces Funding to Improve Lockups

By: , December 12, 2018

The Key Point:

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will be providing funds in the second supplementary estimates for the 2018/19 financial year to improve the physical condition of lockups.
PM Announces Funding to Improve Lockups
Photo: Michael Sloley
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, addresses the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 11), during the debate on the motion to extend the States of Public Emergency. In the background (from left) are: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson; and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson.

The Facts

  • He made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 11) at Gordon House.
  • The move follows the Prime Minister’s tour of lockups and detention centres in Kingston, St. Catherine and St. James on December 8, to get a first-hand look at the facilities and the systems in place.

The Full Story

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will be providing funds in the second supplementary estimates for the 2018/19 financial year to improve the physical condition of lockups.

He made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (December 11) at Gordon House.

The move follows the Prime Minister’s tour of lockups and detention centres in Kingston, St. Catherine and St. James on December 8, to get a first-hand look at the facilities and the systems in place.

Mr. Holness visited the Denham Town forward operating base, the Tamarind Farm detention facility and the Twickenham Park detainee processing facility, before visiting the Freeport lockup.

“I reiterate the Government’s commitment to protecting and safeguarding the human rights of all Jamaicans, while reducing the country’s crime rate. At this time, in relation to the States of Public Emergency, we have 77 persons detained, 20 in St. James, 36 in St. Catherine and 21 in Kingston,” Mr. Holness said.

He noted that the tour of the lockups and detention centres was an opportunity to see whether there was room for the Government to make improvements.

“My assessment is that we have to consider improving the dietary provisions, and I have given a directive to the Minister of Finance and Public Service, in the upcoming supplementary budget, to make an allocation. The bathroom facilities are always in a position where they can be improved, so we will be looking at making some improvements, as we can, to many of them,” Prime Minister Holness told the Lower House.

He said he is satisfied that the security forces are “implementing the agreed systems of accountability for having in custody, Jamaican citizens who are detained”.

Last Updated: December 12, 2018

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