Gov't Moving To Relocate Juveniles In Lock-ups

[Lazie]

The Government is moving swiftly to provide secure accommodation for children being held in police lock-ups due to lack of space in existing juvenile remand centres.
Following his announcement in Parliament last week, Prime Minister Bruce Golding received a report from the JDF, on Tuesday, on the timeframe for renovation works to be carried out at Cape Clear, St. Mary.
Based on discussions involving the Ministry of National Security, the Child Development Agency (CDA) and following consultations with the Children's Advocate, steps are now being taken to transfer children from police lock-ups to the former remand centre at Metcalfe Street.
This is a highly secure facility which can accommodate all the children now being held in custody. Minor modifications will be carried out immediately to facilitate its use as a juvenile remand centre.
It is not possible to place these children in existing remand or correctional centres, as they are already overcrowded. Nor is it possible to house them in places of safety, as these do not offer the required level of security and would expose the children already there to danger.
It is to be noted that 47 of the children now in police lock-ups have been charged with serious offences including murder (3), illegal firearm (12), shooting (1), possession of an offensive weapon (2), wounding (9), rape (5), carnal abuse (5), robbery with aggravation (7) and assault (3).
The Government fully acknowledges that children ought not to be kept in police lock-ups but in facilities which are appropriate to their status as children, while providing the necessary security as they await the decision of the courts.
Every effort is being made to have children in lock-ups relocated within the next few weeks.

http://www.jis.gov.jm/security/html/...N_LOCK_UPS.asp

[Lazie]

Human rights groups demonstrate near Jamaica House


Human rights groups Jamaicans for Justice and Hear the Children's Cry on Friday morning carried out a peaceful demonstration 200 yards from Jamaica House.
The groups and their supporters gathered outside the Police Officers' Club along Hope Road in St. Andrew to highlight what they say is the government's lack of urgency in responding to the continued abuse of children in state care.
The placard-bearing human rights lobbyists claim the government is taking too long to act on the findings of the report into the fatal fire at the Armadale Juvenile Facility and to release children held illegally in police lock ups.
The groups maintain that it has been six weeks since the Armadale Report was finalised and the government has not yet indicated who will be held accountable for the deaths of the seven wards.
This, it said, is despite persons being identified in the report as being responsible for the incident.
The lobbyists want the government to outline what action will be taken against those held responsible.
According to JFJ's Executive Director Dr. Carolyn Gomes, the groups are also demanding that the government gives an immediate directive to remove children from adult facilities.
The JFJ also insists that the government needs to reorganise the children's services.
The police maintained a presence on the scene to ensure that the demonstration remained peaceful.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/25745/26/