标签： Jamaica

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.

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.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Tensions between community reassurance and police accountability emerged in Porus following a deadly security operation that resulted in four fatalities. Manchester’s commanding officer, Superintendent Carey Duncan, addressed residents of St. Toolies during a community walk-through on Tuesday, defending police actions that occurred the previous day.

Superintendent Duncan asserted that police only employ lethal force when confronted with direct threats, stating: “Our responses are consistently proportional to threats directed against us. When perpetrators receive clear instructions to surrender their weapons and instead aim firearms at officers, we respond with equivalent force.” He emphasized that innocent bystanders not posing threats would not have been harmed during Monday’s operation.

The confrontation claimed the lives of three local men—23-year-old Byron McDonald, 26-year-old Teshawn Porteous, and 19-year-old Rasheed Johnson. Police reported a fourth unidentified individual attempted to flee the scene during an alleged exchange of gunfire before being fatally shot in the neighboring Toll Gate area. This incident brings Jamaica’s security forces-involved fatalities to twelve for the current year, with authorities confirming the seizure of a firearm from the scene.

While relatives of the deceased had protested the shootings, many St. Toolies residents expressed support for the police presence. Community members praised law enforcement efforts and requested sustained patrols, particularly near the St. Toolies River area where criminal activity has been reported.

Superintendent Duncan advised residents to remain vigilant against migrant criminals, urging community cooperation: “St. Toolies is traditionally close-knit and family-oriented. If strangers enter your community, we implore you to notify us for proper vetting. Not every newcomer poses a threat, but some do require scrutiny.”

In response to community concerns, Duncan committed to maintaining consistent police patrols, clarifying that Monday’s operation was “strictly intelligence-driven” based on nationwide intelligence gathering rather than reflecting negatively on the community itself.

Councillor Claudia Morant Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus Division) endorsed the police approach, thanking authorities for enabling residents to “sleep in peace” knowing problematic elements had been removed from the community.

The superintendent ruled out imposing curfews unless intelligence indicates impending violence, while also addressing illegal transportation methods. He specifically condemned the dangerous practice of unregulated motorcycle taxis transporting multiple passengers without helmets, emphasizing that such operations would never receive legal authorization.

Police and local officials conducted a thorough assessment of the shooting location during Tuesday’s engagement, seeking to balance community security concerns with appropriate law enforcement practices.

The Jamaican educational community is mourning the passing of distinguished educator Dottlyn Norma Dawes, whose remarkable 36-year career left an indelible mark on Carron Hall High School in St. Mary. The former principal, who dedicated her professional life to the institution from 1977 until her retirement in 2013, passed away on January 3, 2026, following an extended period of illness.

Current principal Carlinton Johnson announced the loss through an emotional tribute on the school’s official Facebook platform, commemorating Dawes’ extraordinary contributions to educational development in western St. Mary. During her transformative eighteen-year leadership tenure from 1995 to 2013, Dawes engineered the institution’s evolution from the formerly designated Carron Hall Vocational School—an all-girls establishment—into a progressive co-educational facility that expanded opportunities for countless students.

Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Dawes received national recognition as a 2002 finalist for the prestigious Lasco/Jamaica Teachers’ Association Teacher of the Year Award, highlighting her exceptional pedagogical approach and dedication to student development. Her community engagement extended into the judicial sphere through her service as a St. Mary justice of the peace, demonstrating her multifaceted commitment to social advancement.

The digital memorial space has become flooded with heartfelt remembrances from former students and colleagues, painting a portrait of an educator who possessed extraordinary belief in her pupils’ potential. Testimonials consistently highlight her unique ability to recognize and nurture talent in young learners, with many attributing their subsequent professional and personal achievements to her inspirational guidance and unwavering support. The overwhelming response underscores the profound personal connections she fostered throughout her decades of educational service, establishing a legacy that continues to resonate across generations of Jamaican students.

Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has announced the appointment of Yanique Taylor Wellington as its new deputy commissioner, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell who held the operational leadership role from 2013 through December 2025.

Taylor Wellington assumes comprehensive operational responsibilities previously managed by Campbell, bringing substantial institutional expertise to the position. Her distinguished tenure at Indecom includes serving as Director of Complaints since January 2022 and previously as Senior Legal Officer. The legally-trained professional represented the commission during the critical West Kingston Commission of Enquiry in 2015 and notably argued before the UK Privy Council in the landmark Dane Lewin vs Albert Diah case, which resulted in a pivotal ruling affirming Indecom’s authority and reinforcing police accountability mechanisms. Prior to joining Indecom, she served as a senior prosecutor at Jamaica’s Integrity Commission.

In her initial statements as deputy commissioner, Taylor Wellington highlighted alarming trends in police-related fatalities, revealing a 65% year-over-year increase in fatal security force shootings during 2025, with 311 individuals killed compared to the previous year. Particularly disturbing is the 300% surge in fatalities recorded in the first five days of 2026, with 12 persons shot dead by security forces compared to three during the same period in 2025.

Taylor Wellington emphasized Indecom’s commitment to “independently, impartially, and promptly investigate all incidents involving security force shootings.” She assured citizens that recent fatal encounters would undergo thorough and objective examination, with appropriate actions taken should legal violations be identified.

Notably, Indecom’s investigations into these incidents revealed concerning procedural gaps. While eight firearms were recovered across six recent shooting incidents, no body-worn cameras were activated by involved officers during any of these encounters. One Jamaica Constabulary Force member reportedly possessed equipment but claimed inability to activate it due to missing mounting accessories.

All officers involved have been formally served with Section 21 Notices under the Independent Commission of Investigations Act (2010), requiring them to submit detailed statements and attend investigatory interviews.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant push toward digital inclusion, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr has publicly praised elderly citizens engaging with the government’s GetConnected Digital Literacy Programme. During an impromptu visit to the National Council for Senior Citizens on West Kings House Road, the minister witnessed Cohort 3 of the initiative in progress, where 33 seniors are currently mastering essential digital competencies.

Minister Charles Jr emphasized that the program dismantles the notion that senior citizens are merely observers of technological progress. “Every time I see this programme in action, it sends a powerful message — our senior citizens are not on the sidelines of development; they are active participants in Jamaica’s future,” he stated.

The comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster active and healthy aging by equipping participants with practical skills. These include operating computers and mobile devices, maintaining social connections through digital platforms, accessing online services, and implementing crucial safety measures in cyber environments. The minister highlighted that beyond reducing social isolation, these skills enhance personal independence and can potentially lead to new economic opportunities.

Adding international credibility to the initiative, the program utilizes globally recognized training materials and offers participants the chance to obtain certification from City & Guilds. This aspect reinforces that age presents no barrier to achieving technological proficiency.

With Safer Internet Day approaching in February, Minister Charles Jr also stressed the inseparable link between digital access and cybersecurity awareness, particularly for vulnerable demographics. “Digital empowerment must go hand in hand with digital protection. Confidence, safety, and responsible online engagement are just as important as access,” he remarked.

The minister extended an invitation to all eligible senior citizens across Jamaica to enroll in future sessions by contacting the National Council for Senior Citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating inclusive opportunities throughout all stages of life.