分类： society

In a poignant and deeply emotional address, philanthropist and Supreme Ventures Foundation Director Leighton McKnight expressed profound sorrow over the escalating violence against women and children in Jamaica. Speaking at the foundation’s Supreme Hero Finals held at ROK Hotel in Kingston, McKnight’s choice of black attire symbolized his mourning for the nation’s current state. ‘I’m in black today because I’m in mourning,’ he stated solemnly. ‘With what’s going on across our country, we need more and more heroes.’

McKnight highlighted recent tragedies that have shaken the nation, including the brutal murder of a teenage girl and the suicide of former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant Tyra Spaulding. ‘Just week before last, one of my mentees, Jada, was shot and killed in her home,’ he shared, his voice trembling with emotion. ‘The following week, Tyra Spaulding, another young lady I mentored, took her own life.’

Referencing recent headlines from Jamaican newspapers, McKnight lamented the normalization of violence in society. ‘Last week, a four-year-old was murdered in Linstead. This week, similar tragedies unfolded in central Kingston. Children are being murdered. We cannot continue like this,’ he declared.

Drawing parallels to Bob Andy’s 1970s reggae classic ‘Fire Burning,’ McKnight emphasized the urgent need for social reform. ‘The song is more relevant today than it was 50 years ago,’ he noted. ‘If we keep ignoring the needs of the less fortunate, they will rise up, and we will regret our inaction. Giving back is not just charity; it’s self-preservation.’

McKnight concluded with a call for national empathy, quoting George Benson’s ‘The Greatest Love of All.’ ‘I believe the children are our future. Treat them well, and let them lead the way,’ he urged. ‘Children are growing without love, and all they know is violence. It’s our responsibility to break this cycle.’

He challenged the audience and the nation to prioritize compassion over policing and material wealth. ‘Jamaica will not improve through better policing or solidarity alone. It will improve when we care for those in need. It’s going to get better because of those who care,’ he asserted.

A groundbreaking smart card system is set to revolutionize the safety and efficiency of Jamaica’s Rural School Bus Programme, offering parents real-time tracking of their children’s journeys to and from school. Developed by El Hydro, the technology partner for the initiative, the system will notify parents instantly via SMS or a dedicated app when their child boards or exits a school bus. This feature aims to bolster confidence in the programme, which is still in its developmental stages.

Five years after the Mental Health (Offenders) Inquiry Committee, commissioned by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, urged the Jamaican Ministry of Health to establish dedicated facilities for mentally ill individuals in conflict with the law, no such space has been identified. Hundreds of these individuals remain detained in correctional institutions, often for decades, with half still awaiting trial. The committee, comprising representatives from the judiciary, human rights organizations, and health and correctional services, highlighted the systemic failure to address the therapeutic needs of these detainees. Dr. Kevin Goulbourne, consultant psychiatrist and director of Mental Health and Substance Use at the ministry, recently confirmed that efforts are ongoing to create a more humane environment outside the prison system. The 2020 report emphasized that correctional facilities are ill-equipped to handle mental health care, a responsibility historically shifted from Bellevue Hospital to the Department of Correctional Services in the 1970s. Justice Georgiana Fraser, the committee chair, stressed the urgency of designating appropriate facilities, noting that many detainees have not been tried or found guilty. The report also criticized successive health ministers for failing to address this issue. Goulbourne acknowledged the challenges, including the lack of early assessments and the absence of a forensic psychiatric unit. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton emphasized the need for collaboration between health, justice, and security sectors to improve mental health support for incarcerated individuals. Chief Justice Sykes has called for systemic reforms to ensure timely court appearances and appropriate care for mentally disordered defendants, who currently cannot be discharged without a trial verdict.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of a devastating incident that claimed the lives of five individuals, including four-year-old Shannon Gordon, Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has issued a fervent appeal for moral clarity and unified action. The tragic event, which occurred in a St. Catherine community, has reignited concerns over escalating violence and the societal narratives surrounding it.