Significant advancements were made in the justice system in 2023 under the Restorative Justice and Child Diversion Mentorship Programmes, and in reducing the overall net backlog of criminal cases in the parish courts.
Parish courts were refurbished at a cost of over $100 million, more than 5,000 Jamaicans were assisted under the Victim Support Programme, and a new Social Justice Division was established.
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Ensuring Access to Justice for All Jamaicans
Through a range of policies, programmes and initiatives, the Government has ensured that justice continues to be delivered to citizens.
More than $100 million was invested in refurbishing court facilities islandwide in 2023. Among these were the Clarendon Parish Court - $24.3 million; Hanover Parish Court - $20.8 million; Supreme Court - $12.4 million; St. James Family Court - $9.01 million; Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA) Civil Court - $6.3 million; KSA Parish Court Criminal Division - $3.5 million, and Trelawny Parish Court at Duncans - $8.2 million.
The Restorative Justice Programme facilitated 1,792 client referrals, with 82 per cent resulting in agreements between parties, while more than 250 restorative justice practice training sessions were conducted. Overall, more than 7,500 clients benefitted from the services offered.
Under the Victim Support Programme, a child-friendly space was established at the Victim Support Branch (VSB) office in Mandeville, Manchester, under the US-Jamaica Child Protection Compact Partnership.
Over in Portland, a $6.7 million child-friendly centre was opened to provide services, including counselling to youngsters who are victims of crime.
The Child Diversion Programme transferred 764 children, aged 12-17, from the formal court system and provided them with treatment plans.
Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry’s website was revamped, and now includes several interactive features designed to heighten client and stakeholder engagement and further enhance their understanding of the justice system and the services provided.
