Location: Kingston, Jamaica | Date: Friday, July 1, 2016

The Honourable Delroy Chuck, Minister of Justice, called on the Justices of the Peace for Kingston to maintain their integrity at all times and find ways of reducing crime and violence in our communities.  He pointed out that corruption and violence negatively affect Jamaica’s GDP by some 7%.   The Minister was speaking at a special meeting with the JPs for the parish of Kingston, held Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Leslie Ridout Hall, 80 Kings Street, Kingston.  This is in keeping with the Minister’s island wide tour to meet with JPs in all the parishes in an attempt to work more closely with the lay magistrates to resolve a number of national issues through their effective engagement at the community level.

Minister Chuck says the Ministry plans to double the number of JPs island-wide and decommission those who act inappropriately.  A more comprehensive training programme will be rolled out shortly and each JP will be required to participate in at least one of four training sessions annually.  Special training will also be done in Restorative Justice to support the building of peace in communities.  The Minister further encouraged Justices to arm themselves with the laws and regulations of the Justices of the Peace Act and with information in general and to keep abreast of changes.

Mrs Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice who was also present at the meeting explained that there is a drive to get more JPs in the Public Service to serve the large community (teachers, nurses, police etc.).   She updated the gathering on plans to expand the jurisdiction of the JPs to include Restorative Justice, Mediation, service in Traffic Court and Committal Proceedings.  She also said the Ministry is currently seeking to legitimize the name “Lay Magistrate.”

In his remarks, the Hon Steadman Fuller, Custos of Kingston outlined the number of community activities undertaken regularly by his JPs including Community Health and Wellness initiatives, Processing of Deportees, Service in the Courts (Petty Session, Drug Enhancement Panel, Spirit Licensing Authority), Lock-Up Visitation, Sick & Shut-Ins Visitation (Kingston JPs), Support for Abandoned Inmates at Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre (TSACC), Education and Communication.  Custos Fuller also used the opportunity to voice some concerns.   He noted the popular practice of inmates to use cellular phones in Lock-ups.  This is illegal and he suggested that a phone be placed at a central point in an open area (a paid phone service) and all calls are monitored.  He is also concerned about the stewardship of some JPs who either conduct themselves inappropriately or who offer no service after being commissioned.  He appealed to the Ministry of Justice for support to establish a machinery to facilitate a speedier process to decommission JPs who are poor stewards and embarrass the body.  The Custos outlined that the Communications Committee was in dialogue with the relevant stakeholders in an effort to roster Justices of the Peace at intervals at some of the Kingston Offices of the Registrar General Department and the Inland Revenue Department.  This is an initiative to meet the needs of the citizens and decrease inappropriate activities by JPs and other persons.

Custos Fuller said many JPs are now overwhelmed by the demands of their job and the absence of supporting resources (eg. Computer and stationery supplies).  The JPs are even more concerned by the Minister’s call for more output without addressing this issue.  The Custos asked the Minister and his team to review the matter.

The meeting was chaired by Justice Dr Paulette Francis McGregor, Immediate Past President of the Lay Magistrates’ Association (LMAJ) - Kingston Chapter and the Vote of Thanks moved by Justice Hector Wheeler, Chair, Communications Sub-Committee.

Contact:

Hector Wheeler, JP
Chair, Communications Sub- Committee
July 2016