KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican Court of Appeal has achieved an unprecedented judgment delivery rate of 560% in 2024, far surpassing international standards. This remarkable milestone was announced by Justice of Appeal Paulette Williams during the opening of the Michaelmas Term on September 22 in Kingston. Williams explained that for every 10 newly reserved judgments, approximately 56 were delivered, significantly exceeding the global benchmark of 100%.
分类： society
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UK nursery worker jailed for abusing 21 babies
A London-based nursery worker, Roksana Lecka, 22, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of ‘gratuitous’ and ‘sadistic’ assaults on infants under her care. The shocking case, which came to light in June 2024, involved multiple acts of violence against 21 babies at two nurseries where Lecka was employed. Among the incidents, she was found to have repeatedly kicked a young boy in the face, pinched, slapped, and even toppled children headfirst into their cots. Judge Sarah Plaschkes described Lecka’s actions as deliberate and cruel, often targeting children who were peacefully occupied. Lecka admitted to seven counts of cruelty to a person under 16 and was convicted of an additional 14 counts following a trial. She was acquitted of three further charges. The abuse was uncovered after nursery CCTV footage captured her mistreating the children, prompting police involvement. Victim impact statements from parents revealed the profound emotional toll the attacks had taken, with one mother describing the infants as ‘innocent, vulnerable, and helpless.’ Lecka, who blamed her actions on cannabis addiction, apologized in a letter to the court, claiming the drug had altered her personality. However, her remorse did little to mitigate the severity of her crimes, as the judge emphasized the ‘sadistic’ nature of her conduct.
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33 young people benefit from AHF summer programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Jamaica has successfully concluded its sixth annual summer employment and training initiative, benefiting 33 young participants with scholarships totaling $5.9 million. The four-week program, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE), provided comprehensive training and internship opportunities aimed at fostering workplace readiness, financial literacy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and sexual and reproductive health awareness.
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Senior citizens feted on National Grandparents Days
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senior citizens from across Jamaica gathered for a festive celebration of National Grandparents Day, marked by camaraderie, entertainment, and heartfelt appreciation. The event, now in its third year, took place on Sunday, September 21, at the Verandah at Juici Patties Empowerment Park in Clarendon. Organized by Juici Patties in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), the occasion highlighted the importance of honoring the elderly in society. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, a delectable meal, and lively music from the 1960s to the 1980s, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Activities included joke-telling, riddle-solving, and friendly competitions, with prizes awarded for the most grandchildren and special recognition for the oldest male and female grandparents. Audrey Deer-Williams, Chief Technical Director at the Ministry, emphasized the event’s goal of promoting active and healthy aging. She praised seniors as custodians of history and culture, underscoring their continued contributions to society. Deer-Williams also highlighted government initiatives to ensure seniors are treated with dignity and respect. Edith Chin, Custos Rotolorum for Clarendon and Director of Juici Patties, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the event and foster intergenerational learning. She lauded the seniors for their legacy and service to the nation, reaffirming the community’s commitment to their well-being.
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Tourism minister highlights importance of youth engagement in sectoral developments
KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a bid to shape the future of tourism, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has emphasized the critical need for industry stakeholders to actively involve the nation’s youth in meaningful conversations about the sector’s evolution. This call to action was highlighted during the World Tourism Day 2025 Youth Forum, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, which saw the participation of over 300 students from across the island. Organized by the Tourism Ministry and its affiliated agencies, the event aimed to engage students, particularly members of Tourism Action Clubs (TAC), in substantive discussions on tourism’s role in national and global developments. This year’s forum, commemorating World Tourism Day on September 27, focused on the theme ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.’ Minister Bartlett, speaking to JIS News, stressed that the event was designed to foster intellectual exchange between tourism stakeholders and the youth, encouraging them to explore sustainability in both action and thought. He highlighted the importance of young people generating innovative ideas and processes that align with sustainability practices. The Minister also praised TAC members for embracing sustainability principles, which are rooted in the pillars of planet, people, and prosperity. Donovan White, Tourism Director at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), underscored the pivotal role of youth in the industry’s future. He noted that the forum provides a platform for students to learn about tourism, interact with experts, and dispel misconceptions about careers in the sector. White emphasized that tourism encompasses a diverse range of high-paying and skilled professions, including doctors, engineers, architects, and entrepreneurs, all of whom contribute to the industry’s ecosystem. The forum featured panel discussions, interactive sessions, and creative showcases, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s potential.
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BWA unveils safeguards to protect communities during $160M overhaul
As Barbados prepares to embark on a transformative $160 million water infrastructure upgrade, authorities are emphasizing the importance of safety measures designed to protect residents and minimize disruptions. At a recent public stakeholder engagement session held at Lester Vaughan School, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) unveiled a detailed Strategic Environmental and Social Management Plan (SESMP). This plan outlines 18 specific programs addressing critical areas such as occupational health and safety, road safety, air quality, noise control, and compliance monitoring. Federico Scodelaro of the IDB explained that the SESMP aims to conduct a thorough evaluation of environmental and social impacts, establish mitigation strategies, and implement robust management procedures to minimize risks throughout the project’s lifecycle, from construction to operation and eventual closure. Scodelaro highlighted potential challenges, including occupational accidents, dust and noise pollution, and temporary road diversions in high-traffic areas. However, he also pointed to the project’s positive outcomes, such as job creation, enhanced water supply reliability, and improved groundwater conservation. To ensure accountability, a three-tier grievance redress mechanism has been established, prioritizing urgent safety concerns for swift resolution. The infrastructure program is divided into four key components: $100 million for replacing 100 kilometers of deteriorated water mains, $50 million for leak detection and network optimization, $6 million for enhancing BWA’s technical capacity, and $4 million for staffing, audits, and SESMP implementation. BWA Project Manager Shelley Parris emphasized the project’s focus on improving service delivery, climate resilience, and resource management. She acknowledged the challenges of funding and the need for further upgrades, noting that while this project addresses 100 kilometers of mains, over 400 kilometers still require replacement. The full SESMP document is accessible online and at various public locations, including BWA headquarters and public libraries across Barbados.
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Government to prioritise derelict building revival
As Barbados approaches its 60th year of independence, the government has announced the revival of long-stalled plans to convert abandoned public and private buildings into homes, offices, and rental units. New Housing Minister Chris Gibbs unveiled this vision during the Technical and Vocational Education Training Council’s fourth Barbados Annual Construction and Design Conference at Sandals Royal, Maxwell, Christ Church. Gibbs emphasized the urgency of addressing derelict structures, which he described as both unsightly and potential hubs for illegal activities. The initiative aims to provide shelter for those displaced by disasters, create office space for expanding government departments, and offer rental units, while tackling the broader issue of neglected properties. Gibbs highlighted the advantage of government-owned buildings, which can be repurposed without extensive legal hurdles. This project builds on previous efforts by former Housing Minister Dwight Sutherland, who had announced plans to transform over 25,000 derelict buildings and vacant lots island-wide. A $700,000 grant from the Inter-American Development Bank will help launch the program, with work expected to begin in 2025, starting in urban areas like Mason Hall Street and Green Fields. Gibbs has already discussed the initiative with senior officials, underscoring its priority on the government’s agenda.
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Bursary launched for Caribbean law graduates to train on US death penalty cases
Stanbrook Prudhoe, a Caribbean-based law firm specializing in complex cross-border disputes, has unveiled a new bursary program in collaboration with international legal charity Amicus. The Stanbrook Prudhoe Bursary aims to provide young legal professionals from the Caribbean with invaluable hands-on experience in the United States justice system, particularly in death penalty cases. The selected candidate will spend three months on an Amicus US General Volunteer Placement, working through one of Amicus’ 20 affiliate offices across the US.
The initiative is designed to expose Caribbean lawyers to the complexities of capital defense while equipping them with skills and knowledge they can apply in their home region. Tim Prudhoe, co-founder of Stanbrook Prudhoe, emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting Amicus’ three-decade-long commitment to advocating for individuals facing the death penalty in the US. Prudhoe, who interned with Amicus in 1998 in Houston, Texas, expressed hope that the bursary would alleviate financial barriers and prepare Caribbean lawyers for careers in capital defense.
In addition to covering associated fees, the bursary recipient will have the opportunity to attend the second weekend of Amicus’ Autumn Death Penalty Training in London. Applications are open until December 19, 2025, to holders of law degrees or equivalent professional qualifications from eligible jurisdictions, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, among others. Interested candidates can find further details on the Amicus website.
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Nearly 100 Pounds of Cannabis Seized in Joint Police and Customs Operations
In a significant crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, in collaboration with Customs officials, successfully intercepted close to 100 pounds of cannabis within a 24-hour period. The operations, conducted at the V. C. Bird International Airport and the Deep Water Harbour, mark a major victory in the ongoing battle against the illicit drug trade. On September 24, law enforcement officers discovered two cardboard boxes containing 40 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis at the Deep Water Harbour Cargo Area. The haul, weighing 40 pounds, has an estimated street value of $240,000. The following day, a similar operation at the airport Cargo Shed led to the seizure of 52 vacuum-sealed packages, amounting to 52 pounds with a street value of $312,000. Both consignments were transported to Police Headquarters for further investigation. These seizures underscore the effectiveness of joint operations between the Police and Customs in safeguarding the nation’s borders and disrupting the flow of illegal substances. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to maintaining vigilance and cooperation to combat drug trafficking. Investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
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LETTER: I Believe Antigua and Barbuda’s Immigration System Is Failing the People
Antigua and Barbuda’s immigration system is under intense scrutiny for its inefficiency and inequitable treatment of applicants. While the Immigration and Passport Act of 2014 outlines clear requirements for residency and citizenship, the execution of these laws has been marred by inconsistencies, poor communication, and financial barriers. The 2022 Amnesty Program, intended to regularize the status of undocumented residents, has become a glaring example of these systemic failures. Thousands of applicants were left in limbo due to unclear communication from the Immigration Department, with many mistakenly believing that acknowledgment cards granted them residency or citizenship. In reality, these cards only served as proof of registration, a distinction that was not adequately explained. As a result, many participants are now at risk of deportation, despite having followed the program’s instructions. Further compounding the issue, applicants report inconsistent treatment, such as receiving shorter stamp durations than promised and being charged double fees for dual applications. The high costs of residency and citizenship, which exceed the average monthly salary, make legal status unattainable for many working families. Delays in processing applications, exacerbated by backlogs from the COVID-19 pandemic, have eroded trust in the system. Additionally, the absence of a citizenship test means new citizens are not required to demonstrate basic knowledge of Antigua and Barbuda’s anthem, language, or history—a practice common in other countries. To address these issues, experts recommend clear written guidance from the Attorney General and Chief Immigration Officer, standardized stamp durations, elimination of double fees, and the introduction of a citizenship test. The government must also commit resources to clear the backlog and publish regular progress reports. Without these reforms, the public’s faith in the immigration system will continue to decline, undermining the principles of fairness and national pride.