Restorative Justice Facilitators Will Reduce Conflicts – Chuck

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says with new Restorative Justice Facilitators being engaged, violent interpersonal conflicts should be reduced.

The Minister, who was addressing a graduation ceremony for a new batch  of Facilitators, at the Constant Spring Road offices of the Ministry, in St. Andrew, on May 26, said their task is crucial to curb the culture of retribution in the settling of disputes.

Mr. Chuck said the new Facilitators should regard themselves as “problem solvers,” and with the training they have received and the interventions that they will be making, the “tide” of high skirmishes will be “turned.”

“Make dialogue and reasoning an integral part of the conflict resolution process,” the Minister urged the graduates, stressing that their mission will be on healing and persuading other persons to make their skills and talents available to the justice system at the community level.

During the period from April 2016 to April 2017, some 11,738 individuals received training in Restorative Justice.

“This is a programme being pushed by the Ministry, because we know that Restorative Justice can play a major role, and definitely have an impact in your daily interactions to make Jamaica a better place,” Mr. Chuck said.

Communities served by Restorative Justice centres include Trench Town, Jones Town, Craig Town and Hannah Town, in St. Andrew; Greater Allman Town and Fletcher’s Land, in Kingston; communities in Spanish Town, St. Catherine; May Pen and surrounding areas, in Clarendon; and communities in Westmoreland and St. James.