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The findings of a comprehensive study on the effects of criminal deportation was tabled on Tuesday in the house of representatives.
<SPAN class=news_body>In a statement to the house, National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, pointed to what has been described as a frightening correlation between increases in deportees and murder rates, sexual, drug and gun related offences.
The report also details significant social, emotional and financial dislocation caused by deportation.
Dr. Phillips noted that the study finds that many deportees continue to engage in serious criminal activities following their return to Jamaica.
He said at the most basic level the findings demonstrated that deported criminal offenders are convicted of crimes in Jamaica at approximately the same rate as local offenders.
The National Security Minister noted that the rate of conviction for deported persons was one in 18 compared to one in 17 for the general population.
He said this means that while deported persons are not necessarily more likely to be convicted of crimes they are as likely to contribute to crimes as the rest of the population.
Within this context Dr. Phillips argued that the increasing number of deportees in the population is likely to have a direct impact on the crime rate.
He said in a survey of self reported criminal offences 53 per cent of those interviewed revealed that they have been directly involved in criminal activities since their deportation.
In relation to the social impact, Dr. Phillips said the findings revealed that almost 60 per cent of persons interviewed had lived overseas for more than 11 years with almost half having migrated when they were minors.
Dr. Phillips outlined several recommendations of the team which conducted the study.
He said the team which conducted the study is recommending the establishment of a multi-agency response team to collaborate with community based and non-governmental organisations to respond to deported persons with special needs.</SPAN>
<SPAN class=news_body>In a statement to the house, National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, pointed to what has been described as a frightening correlation between increases in deportees and murder rates, sexual, drug and gun related offences.
The report also details significant social, emotional and financial dislocation caused by deportation.
Dr. Phillips noted that the study finds that many deportees continue to engage in serious criminal activities following their return to Jamaica.
He said at the most basic level the findings demonstrated that deported criminal offenders are convicted of crimes in Jamaica at approximately the same rate as local offenders.
The National Security Minister noted that the rate of conviction for deported persons was one in 18 compared to one in 17 for the general population.
He said this means that while deported persons are not necessarily more likely to be convicted of crimes they are as likely to contribute to crimes as the rest of the population.
Within this context Dr. Phillips argued that the increasing number of deportees in the population is likely to have a direct impact on the crime rate.
He said in a survey of self reported criminal offences 53 per cent of those interviewed revealed that they have been directly involved in criminal activities since their deportation.
In relation to the social impact, Dr. Phillips said the findings revealed that almost 60 per cent of persons interviewed had lived overseas for more than 11 years with almost half having migrated when they were minors.
Dr. Phillips outlined several recommendations of the team which conducted the study.
He said the team which conducted the study is recommending the establishment of a multi-agency response team to collaborate with community based and non-governmental organisations to respond to deported persons with special needs.</SPAN>
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