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KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a landmark address at the 20th ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ Day of Prayer Service, Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a compelling appeal for ecclesiastical collaboration in Jamaica’s ongoing battle against violent crime. Speaking at Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine, the leader outlined an ambitious strategy to transform religious institutions into active participants in crime prevention.

The nation has achieved a notable milestone with fewer than 700 homicides recorded in 2025—the lowest figure in thirty-one years. Despite this progress, the administration remains focused on an even more ambitious objective: reducing murder rates to match the regional standard of 15 per 100,000 residents. Current statistics indicate the nation is approaching this benchmark, with rates now dipping below 25 per 100,000.

Holness emphasized that achieving this goal requires addressing the root causes of social violence, including domestic altercations, intimate partner conflicts, and neighborhood disputes that frequently escalate into fatal encounters. “We require the church’s assistance beyond spiritual support—we need concrete action,” he asserted. “Society must hear from pulpits everywhere that violence is unacceptable as a conflict resolution mechanism.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the unique positioning of religious organizations to implement immediate intervention strategies. Churches can offer counseling services and diversion programs to at-risk youth before they become entangled in criminal networks. “Many young people in our communities could just as easily join church choirs as they might join gangs,” Holness observed. “The difference often lies in which group extends the invitation first. We need the church’s army to redirect these youngsters toward positive alternatives.”

Holness envisions a collaborative framework where religious institutions work alongside law enforcement and military units to foster what he defines as true peace: the capability to resolve disagreements without violence. He additionally called for prayers to influence those involved in criminal enterprises, urging them to abandon violence and voluntarily surrender their weapons.

The event, organized by Power of Faith Ministries International under the theme ‘Reunite and Build the Family with Love and Forgiveness’, coincided with Jamaica’s sixth Annual National Day of Prayer, underscoring the government’s commitment to integrating spiritual approaches with security policy.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican judicial system is demonstrating significant progress in case management and operational efficiency, according to Chief Justice Bryan Sykes. Speaking at a recent swearing-in ceremony for six newly appointed judicial officers at King’s House, Justice Sykes highlighted several key achievements and ongoing reform initiatives.

The parish courts have maintained exceptional performance levels despite facing substantial challenges, including inadequate physical infrastructure and disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa. Notably, these courts have successfully reduced their net case backlog to under three percent, even with a tightened time standard of 20 months for case resolution.

Justice Sykes reported that the Court of Appeal continues to excel regionally, delivering an impressive 56 judgments for every 10 cases reserved. This performance metric establishes Jamaica’s appellate court as one of the most efficient within the Caribbean region.

Substantial structural reforms are underway at the Supreme Court, particularly within the civil registry system. With support from the Ministry of Finance, the judiciary is implementing a docket system that will organize judges, masters, and administrative staff into specialized teams. This reorganization will assign each team responsibility for cases from initial assignment through final disposition, creating greater accountability and streamlined processing.

In a landmark development, multiple judicial entities including the Court of Appeal, the High Court Division of the Gun Court in Kingston, the St. Thomas Parish Court, and the Court Administration Division are expected to receive ISO certification within approximately twelve weeks. This certification will establish measurable service standards and enhance accountability throughout the judicial process.

Justice Sykes simultaneously called for comprehensive reforms to address systemic challenges. He identified the circuit court system as inadequate for handling modern case volumes and complexities, noting that ‘there is no such thing as a simple case anymore.’ The four-week circuit court sessions, even with highly efficient judges, prove insufficient for addressing complex evidentiary matters.

The Chief Justice advocated for reevaluating jury trials, citing international precedents. He referenced England and Wales, where officials are considering curtailing jury trials to address a massive backlog of 78,000 cases projected to reach 100,000 by 2030. Similarly, he pointed to the United States federal system, where over 97% of cases are resolved through plea bargaining.

With Jamaica facing approximately 3,000 backlogged cases—over 1,000 concentrated in the Home Circuit Court alone—Justice Sykes urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to develop positions for case resolution in every matter. He emphasized that trying all cases conventionally is impossible and previously discussed reform necessities with the justice minister.

Finally, Justice Sykes called for increased judicial control over capital budgeting to better address the system’s operational needs and modernization requirements.

The re-election of President Donald Trump has precipitated a significant shift in daily behaviors and social patterns among Jamaican immigrants across the United States. Following his January 2025 inauguration after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the administration has intensified border control measures and immigration enforcement, creating an environment of heightened anxiety within immigrant communities.

Immigration advocates report profound behavioral adaptations among Jamaicans regardless of legal status. Many now avoid public gatherings, religious services, and cultural events due to fears of encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Some residents have adopted the practice of carrying passports during routine activities, while others have significantly reduced participation in traditional social activities, including nighttime gatherings and cultural celebrations.

Irwine Clare of Caribbean Immigrant Services in Queens described a new reality where ICE vehicles deliberately patrol areas with high Jamaican concentration, including White Plains Road, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. This psychological impact has extended to travel patterns, with many Jamaican immigrants avoiding international travel due to concerns about re-entry challenges under expanded enforcement protocols.

The Laken Riley Act, passed shortly after Trump’s inauguration, has substantially broadened detention criteria for non-citizens to include misdemeanor offenses such as shoplifting and burglary. This legislative change has created additional vulnerabilities for green card holders and those with pending citizenship applications.

Economic repercussions are emerging within immigrant-dominated sectors, particularly New York’s food and restaurant industries. Business owners report increased caution about hiring practices, while workers experience heightened anxiety about informal employment arrangements. Community organizations have even suspended public forums about status regularization due to safety concerns, with advocates describing such gatherings as potentially leading ‘lambs to the slaughter.’

Despite these challenges, community leaders emphasize adaptation rather than confrontation. Dr. Rupert Francis, chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force, advocates for collaboration with government institutions while acknowledging the need to balance compliance with advocacy for more humane policies. The current climate represents a fundamental transformation in how immigrant communities navigate daily life under strengthened enforcement regimes.