‘Grave concern and alarm’ - Rights group worried about proposed sentence for children convicted of murder

Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) has expressed its "grave concern and alarm" at proposals to amend the Child Care and Protection Act, which would ensure that a minor found guilty of murder serves a minimum 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.

"This is a way of killing hope for these children, many of whom come from unstable, fractured and often abusive family backgrounds and who fall under the harmful influence of adults, who often exploit them. Minors are children, and these are the most vulnerable of our children, who have been born with little chance in life. Many will not have a full understanding of the consequences of their actions," said SUFJ executive director, Maria Carla Gullotta.

"In such cases, the judiciary should be allowed discretion in matters related to our children, and to have the last word on what would be an appropriate sentence. The judge should be allowed the opportunity to weigh whether the child can be rehabilitated and have the chance for a better, more fulfilling life beyond prison bars."

SUFJ believes that the current political administration's stance, which was made in parliament recently, reduces the opportunity for rehabilitation of inmates, and for their reintegration into society on their release.

"These proposed measures contradict other valuable government initiatives currently under way, including the islandwide restorative justice programme, which the Ministry of Justice has been promoting widely. The Child Diversion Programme is another commendable effort to find solutions and to guide children at risk along the right path. This is flying in the face of such worthy endeavours," said Gullotta. "As the Government approaches Constitutional reform, including the active participation of the Jamaican people and consideration of the people's rights, how can this be the current mindset among our lawmakers?"

She opined that if the legislation is approved, it will simply result in more children behind bars for longer periods, developing a "prison mindset" and with no hope in their lives when they are finally released as adults.