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KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican officials have declared the modernization of the nation’s adoption and foster care systems, along with enhanced support for children with special needs, a critical national priority aimed at improving outcomes for vulnerable youth.

Education, Skills, Youth and Information Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon emphasized the urgent need to reform Jamaica’s adoption legislation during her address at the 14th annual educational achievement awards ceremony. The event, organized by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), took place Thursday at Kingston’s Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel.

“We persistently discuss adoption reform yet haven’t achieved substantial progress. Revising our adoption law requires immediate attention,” Senator Morris Dixon asserted. She highlighted the necessity of streamlining procedures to accelerate children’s transition into permanent, nurturing family environments, noting that current processes must become “significantly simpler and more efficient.”

Regarding foster care, the minister advocated for family-based settings as the optimal environment for child development and called for expanded national participation in foster programs. “I firmly believe that a family home provides the best foundation for a child’s growth and wellbeing,” she added.

The minister also addressed significant gaps in support systems for children with special needs, particularly during their transition to adulthood. “We’re expanding ministerial programs to better serve the substantial population of children with special needs, but additional efforts are imperative,” Senator Morris Dixon stated.

Emphasizing inclusion and opportunity, she noted that children with special needs possess significant potential to contribute to national development when provided with appropriate support structures. Minister Morris Dixon concluded by stressing the fundamental importance of developing comprehensive national frameworks that ensure every child, regardless of circumstance or ability, feels valued, supported, and fully integrated into society.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have formally charged former national football team member Hector Wright and his spouse, Jodi-Ann Wright, following a significant narcotics operation at their residence in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay. The incident occurred on the afternoon of January 29, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at the couple’s two-story property.

According to official reports, tactical units conducted a coordinated operation approximately at 1:15 pm, leading to the discovery of multiple containers holding substances suspected to be illicit drugs. Specialized investigators from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) were immediately dispatched to the scene for evidence processing and analysis.

Forensic examination confirmed the seized material to be crack cocaine, with authorities reporting the confiscation of more than twenty individually packaged units of the controlled substance. The quantity and packaging method suggest potential intent for distribution rather than personal consumption.

Hector Wright, who previously represented Jamaica’s national football team (known as the Reggae Boyz) during his professional career and currently works as a football coach, now faces serious criminal allegations alongside his wife. Both defendants have been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to supply cocaine.

The couple remained in custody following their arrest and have been formally processed through the Jamaican justice system. Their initial court appearance is scheduled for February 25, where they will answer to the charges before a magistrate. The case has drawn significant attention due to Wright’s status as a former sports celebrity in Jamaica.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant healthcare infrastructure development is underway as the Jamaican government initiates land acquisition procedures in the Greater Bernard Lodge development zone of St. Catherine for constructing a Type C hospital. This strategic move has garnered enthusiastic support from community representatives and mayoral candidate Markland Edwards, who hails from the region.

The revelation came from Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton during a media briefing following his inspection tour of the Greater Portmore Health Centre, which is currently undergoing substantial expansion. The timing coincides with Portmore’s transition toward achieving formal parish status, marking a historic administrative elevation for the community known as the ‘Sunshine City.’

Edwards characterized the hospital project as a ‘total game-changer’ for local families, emphasizing that the infrastructure development aligns perfectly with Portmore’s growing status and population demands. The mayoral candidate extended congratulations to both the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Portmore residents for reaching this substantial milestone in healthcare accessibility.

Concurrent with the hospital planning, the Greater Portmore Health Centre expansion—reported to be 65% complete—is expected to become operational as a functional ‘mini-hospital’ by mid-year. Dr. Tufton further indicated that additional healthcare facilities throughout Portmore are undergoing evaluation for potential upgrades and expansion under the government’s comprehensive health infrastructure development initiative.

This multi-tiered approach to healthcare improvement addresses the urgent needs of Portmore’s rapidly expanding population while demonstrating the government’s commitment to modernizing medical services. Edwards praised the initiative as an investment in community health and security that transcends mere physical structures, ultimately contributing to a healthier future for all Portmore residents.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has launched a comprehensive national initiative combining legislative reform with practical skills training to combat recidivism rates. Between 2020 and 2023, 467 incarcerated individuals obtained certification in various vocational skills including hair braiding, masonry, carpentry, and tiling. Notably, two participants advanced to earn associate degrees in business administration.

The program represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Security and Peace, HEART/NSTA Trust, and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon unveiled these achievements while piloting the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act through the Senate, which passed unanimously on Friday following its December approval in the House of Representatives.

Minister Morris Dixon emphasized the government’s commitment to empowerment, stating, ‘There is so much value in all our people. Their lives do not end at the prison walls.’ The legislative amendments provide a mechanism for reformed offenders to obtain a fresh start, addressing what the minister described as ‘the predictable result of unmet criminogenic needs and re-entry barriers’ including unstable housing, limited job prospects, untreated substance abuse, and fractured support networks.

The government’s Plan Secure Jamaica incorporates rehabilitation and reintegration as core components of national security strategy. The DCS implements individualized case management beginning at intake, featuring risk assessments followed by structured programming encompassing academic education, vocational training, psychosocial support, and life skills development. Simultaneously, Jamaica’s restorative justice infrastructure facilitates community-level conflict resolution and diversion programs.

This multifaceted approach recognizes that sustainable reduction in recidivism requires addressing both systemic barriers and individual rehabilitation needs, positioning Jamaica as an innovator in criminal justice reform.

Jamaica’s primary electricity provider, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), has announced significant progress in restoring power across the island, achieving 96% customer connectivity ahead of its January 31st target. The utility company confirmed it has entered the final phase of restoration operations following October’s devastating Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

This concluding stage presents substantial technical challenges, requiring complete redesign and reconstruction of severely damaged infrastructure in remote areas with difficult terrain. JPS emphasized that restoring power to smaller, scattered customer clusters demands intensive resources and specialized expertise.

The remarkable recovery progress reflects the dedicated efforts of JPS technical crews supplemented by regional and international line workers. Company leadership highlighted that strategic coordination with multiple stakeholders proved instrumental in overcoming obstacles. Collaborative engagement with political representatives, business community members, utility partners, and affected customers facilitated critical access, priority alignment, and expectation management throughout the restoration process.

Recent advancements within the past 48 hours include successful re-energization of numerous communities across multiple parishes:

• Westmoreland: Critical services including Whithorn Police Station and courthouse, plus FLOW and Digicel cellular sites, alongside residential areas in Dunbar River, Deans Valley, and Little London

• St James: Key infrastructure restoration encompassing NWC Pumping Station, educational facilities like Mount Horeb All Age & Infant School, and telecommunications infrastructure

• St Elizabeth: Institutional facilities including Bethlehem Moravian College and Malvern Police Station, plus surrounding communities

JPS maintains mobilized crews across the island working to restore electricity safely and expeditiously. Meanwhile, the company has established temporary energy hubs in affected communities, providing residents with essential power access for device charging, internet connectivity, and other critical services during the final restoration period.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican law enforcement authorities have apprehended two individuals, one of whom is an active-duty police constable, during coordinated counter-narcotics operations across Hanover and Westmoreland parishes. The arrests occurred on Friday following intelligence-driven missions executed by specialized units.

The joint operation, spearheaded by the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch (CTOC) in partnership with the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID), yielded significant confiscations including 85 rounds of assorted ammunition, a motor vehicle, multiple mobile communication devices, and an undisclosed amount of currency.

Initial operations in Hanover targeted illegal ammunition trafficking networks, resulting in the detention of two suspects. Subsequent vehicle searches revealed concealed ammunition within their automobile. Based on gathered intelligence, investigators expanded operations to Westmoreland where additional ammunition was discovered at a residential property.

Those in custody include a 31-year-old police officer from the Westmoreland Police Division and a 39-year-old civilian. Both detainees face potential charges under Jamaica’s Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act of 2022, with ongoing investigations examining the full extent of the alleged violations.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has emphasized its stringent position against criminal conduct within its ranks, stating all recovered evidence has been transferred to specialized forensic units for detailed analysis and processing.