Ensuring Access to Justice for All

Significant investment was made in refurbishing court facilities, training persons in alternative justice services, and providing support for victims of crime and violence.

Minister Delroy Chuck (4th left) along with Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Amy Tachco (4th right), cuts the ribbon to officially open the child-friendly space at the Victim Services Branch office in Mandeville, Manchester, on August 18. Sharing the moment (from left) are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane; Custos of Manchester, Hon. Garfield Green; Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Rhoda Moy Crawford; Warnath Group Country Project Director, Aylair Livingston; Manager, Trafficking Secretariat, Ministry of Justice, Audrey Budhi; and Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison.

Renovation of Court Houses

• Clarendon Parish Court was renovated at a cost of $24.3 million.

• St. Mary Parish Court (Gayle) was renovated at a cost of $21.2 million.

• Refurbishing work undertaken at the Hanover Parish Court at a cost of $20.8 million, and included roof repairs, bathroom upgrade and A/C installation.

• Supreme Court bathroom facilities was upgraded at a cost of $12.4 million.

• The St. James Family Court was upgraded at a cost of $9,013,100.

• The Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA) Civil Court (Sutton Street) received bathroom and plumbing infrastructure upgrade at a cost of $6.3 million. Work was also under- taken at the KSA Parish Court (Criminal Division) at a cost of $3.5 million.

• Work was undertaken at the Trelawny Parish Court (Duncans) at a cost of $8.2 million, including asphalt paving, and supply and installation of chain link fencing and gate.

Social Justice Division

• New Social Justice Division established.

Victim Support

• For the period January to September, 4,508 new clients were referred to and served at the Victim Services Branch (VSB) and 5,762 follow-up clients assisted.

• A child-friendly centre opened in Portland to provide counselling and other support services for youngsters who are victims of crime and other abuses. The facility was set up through $6.7-million from the United States (US).

• A child-friendly space was established at the VSB office in Mandeville, Manchester, under the US-Jamaica Child Protection Compact Partnership.

• Jamaica received Can$12-million from Canada, under the Social Justice (So-JUST) Project, to facilitate a more rights-based and gender-sensitive justice system.

• The Ministry revamped its website, which now showcases several interactive features designed to increase Jamaicans’ engagement with and enhance their understanding of the justice system and the services provided.

Justices of the Peace

• For the period January to September, 802 Justices of the Peace (JP) were commissioned and 5,474 were sensitised.

• Cabinet approved an annual subvention to JP associations.

Expungement

• For the period January to September, 1,590 expungement applications were processed.

Restorative Justice (RJ)

• From January to September, 27,534 persons were trained and sensitised; 258 RJ practices training sessions were conducted; and 1,994 case conferences were conducted with 7,550 clients benefitting.

Child Diversion

• From January to September, 6,741 (2,663 males and 4,078 females) were sensitised. In addition, 504 (348 males and 156 females) referrals received, and 211 (182 males and 29 females) clients completed the programme successfully.

Legal Aid Council

• For the period January to September, 360 clients received consultations. In addition, 5,653 clients were assigned attorneys, and of the cases received 2,761 of those were completed.