Jamaica

Provides a listing of articles on restorative justice developments in Jamaica. Articles appear in the order in which they were added to the site with the most recent appearing first.

Reparative Justice

Greetings, I am trying to find some recent data about the reparative justice process that happens in Jamaica. Can you direct me to more recent [...]

Jamaican Ministry seeks to reduce case backlog through dispute resolution

from the Justice Ministry press release: The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Robert Rainford, has said that the Ministry is aiming to make significant inroads in reducing the backlog of court cases within the next five years, under the Justice Reform Programme. Speaking at the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF), at the Foundation's headquarters in Kingston, Friday (December 11), he disclosed that, based on figures from the courts, the annual backlog of cases could amount to as much as 150,000 cases per year.

Jamaica launches restorative and community justice programme in four violent-prone areas

Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne yesterday launched a pilot of the Government's much-touted Restorative and Community Justice programme which will be rolled out in four of the island's violent-prone communities. The areas identified are Spanish Town in St Catherine; May Pen, Clarendon; Tower Hill in St Andrew; and Granville, St James.

Parker, Lynette. Promoting Restorative Processes in Jamaica

In a ceremony on January 21, the Governor General of Jamaica declared 2004 the National Year of Dispute Resolution. Highlighting the countryxe2x80x99s commitment to developing restorative processes, the declaration coincides with the 10 year anniversary of both public and private initiatives to introduce mediation in response to rising levels of violence. Activities to promote the use of restorative practices have been held throughout the year.

Wachtel, Joshua. Healing in Our Land: Jamaica Hosts International Conference on Restorative Justice

Jamaica’s commitment to RJ was heralded in January and February, 2007, with a 21-day period of “national grieving, atonement, healing, restoration and reconciliation,” declared by the governor general, Hon. Professor Kenneth O. Hall. Events included a series of church services held around the country and culminated in a two-day training and two-day international conference. (excerpt)

Parker, Lynette. Breaking the Cycle of Violence in Jamaica.

Rising rates of violent crime in Jamaica have led to increasing instability and societal polarization. In August 2001, the National Committee on Crime and Violence was created to study the problem of crime and its root causes and to recommend strategies for breaking the cycle of violence. The Committee recommended breaking down political tribalism, reestablishing legitimate community leadership in place of patronage of criminal groups, and improving relations between the police and the community.

Promoting the Use of Restorative Processes in Jamaica

In a ceremony on January 21, the Governor General of Jamaica declared 2004 the National Year of Dispute Resolution. Highlighting the country’s commitment to developing restorative processes, the declaration coincides with the 10 year anniversary of both public and private initiatives to introduce mediation in response to rising levels of violence. Activities to promote the use of restorative practices have been held throughout the year.

Breaking the Cycle of Violence in Jamaica

Rising rates of violent crime in Jamaica have led to increasing instability and societal polarization. In August 2001, the National Committee on Crime and Violence was created to study the problem of crime and its root causes and to recommend strategies for breaking the cycle of violence. The Committee recommended breaking down political tribalism, reestablishing legitimate community leadership in place of patronage of criminal groups, and improving relations between the police and the community.