NCJ Number
77907
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The extent of crime in Jamaica and the ways in which legislation, law enforcement, and corrections have dealt with it are discussed.
Abstract
The postindependence period (after 1962) saw a gradual increase in crime in Jamaica, with violent crimes rising sharply in 1969-1976. This resulted in the public's calling for strong sanctions. Legislation in the 1970's included (1) the Dangerous Drugs Act, which increased penalties for persons involved in the cultivation, trafficking, and possession of drugs; (2) the Firearms Act, which tightened the issuing of gun licenses; (3) the Gun Court Act, which provides for life imprisonment for any person illegally possessing firearms; and (4) the Juveniles Act, which provides that juveniles over 14 years old charged with gun offenses will be processed as adults. Other legislation during this period included the Suppression of Crime Act, which increased police powers in preventing and detecting crime; the Exchange Control Act, which increased penalties for illicit outflow of currency; the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which increased sentencing options; and the Parole Act, which provides for the introduction of a parole system. In the law enforcement area, the public, particularly the lower class elements and those involved in the Rastafarian subculture, views the police as discriminatory in their enforcement of the law. This perception increases hostility between certain segments of society and the police, which in turn tends to fuel violent crime. Corrections efforts are beginning to focus on community-based programs as alternatives to imprisonment, which is increasingly viewed as counterproductive, except where the incapacitation of dangerous and violent offenders is concerned. Ten notes are listed.