A dangerous practice
published: Thursday | March 13, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
VERY HIGH commendations indeed must be extended to Resident Magistrate in Montego Bay, Miss Paulette Williams, for the stand which she has taken against the holding of persons in jails for indefinite periods of time without any charge whatever being laid against them. The case of one Garfield Sawyers of Glendevon, Montego Bay, as reported in your issue of the paper of Thursday, February 27, comes readily to mind.
The practice mentioned is a most dangerous one, and one can readily see the extent to which it can be used by unscrupulous members of the Police Force. The practice is indeed very frightening.
Every possible effort should be made to protect the rights of citizens for this is vitally necessary for the maintenance of law and order and the consequent promotion of peace and harmony in the land.
To hold a person in jail for two weeks without any charge whatever being laid against him is scandalous, to put it mildly, and an immediate investigation should be launched into this particular case.
Every possible step should be taken, without any delay whatever, to prevent a recurrence of the case here mentioned.
