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Local human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is expressing disappointment with some aspects of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's announcement of plans to improve the lives of children in state care.
During Tuesday's sitting of Parliament, the Prime Minister said plans were in motion to transfer all of the country's juvenile correctional and remand facilities to the supervisory control of the Child Development Agency (CDA).
However, Dr. Carolyn Gomes, JFJ Executive Director, says the group is strongly opposed to this move citing the CDA's poor handling of it current work load.
According to Dr. Gomes, it would be a nonsensical move by the government to place additional burden on the agency.
"We have real concerns about how the CDA has handled its less expansive mandate to be looking after children in state care and now we're adding more to its portfolio. We're a little concerned about that and whether the agency has the capability to manage which as far as we're concerned, it is not doing particularly well up to this point," Dr. Gomes said.
Back to the same foolishness
Dr. Carolyn Gomes, JFJ Executive Director.In the meantime, while it is pleased with the plans to separation of wards from convicted prisoners or detainees, the JFJ is awaiting word as to what accountability measures will be put in place to deal with the failures in the system.
"We would have hoped to have heard some sort of accountability measures from the Prime Minister. A lot of positive measures were announced but we need to be very careful.
"We remind people that there was a lot of reorganisation and commitment made at the time of the Keating Report and the formation of the CDA but there was a lack of accountability at that time and eight years later, we're back to thee same foolishness," Dr. Gomes said.
Clarke satisfied with PM's announcement
Mary Clarke, Children's Advocate.And Children's Advocate, Mary Clarke has applauded the Prime Minister's announcement that plans are afoot to renovate designated remand centres to house juveniles in trouble with the law.
The Jamaica Defence Force is to carry out work on the Montpelier Youth Camp for boys and the renovation of Cape Clear as a Juvenile Remand Centre.
There is also to be a designated remand centre for girls.
Mrs. Clarke says she is looking forward to the day when no child will be held in police lockups or adult correctional facilities.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/25510/26/
During Tuesday's sitting of Parliament, the Prime Minister said plans were in motion to transfer all of the country's juvenile correctional and remand facilities to the supervisory control of the Child Development Agency (CDA).
However, Dr. Carolyn Gomes, JFJ Executive Director, says the group is strongly opposed to this move citing the CDA's poor handling of it current work load.
According to Dr. Gomes, it would be a nonsensical move by the government to place additional burden on the agency.
"We have real concerns about how the CDA has handled its less expansive mandate to be looking after children in state care and now we're adding more to its portfolio. We're a little concerned about that and whether the agency has the capability to manage which as far as we're concerned, it is not doing particularly well up to this point," Dr. Gomes said.
Back to the same foolishness
Dr. Carolyn Gomes, JFJ Executive Director.In the meantime, while it is pleased with the plans to separation of wards from convicted prisoners or detainees, the JFJ is awaiting word as to what accountability measures will be put in place to deal with the failures in the system.
"We would have hoped to have heard some sort of accountability measures from the Prime Minister. A lot of positive measures were announced but we need to be very careful.
"We remind people that there was a lot of reorganisation and commitment made at the time of the Keating Report and the formation of the CDA but there was a lack of accountability at that time and eight years later, we're back to thee same foolishness," Dr. Gomes said.
Clarke satisfied with PM's announcement
Mary Clarke, Children's Advocate.And Children's Advocate, Mary Clarke has applauded the Prime Minister's announcement that plans are afoot to renovate designated remand centres to house juveniles in trouble with the law.
The Jamaica Defence Force is to carry out work on the Montpelier Youth Camp for boys and the renovation of Cape Clear as a Juvenile Remand Centre.
There is also to be a designated remand centre for girls.
Mrs. Clarke says she is looking forward to the day when no child will be held in police lockups or adult correctional facilities.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/25510/26/
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