Several Jamaicans participating in the justice system reform consultations are advocating for more creative sentencing in order to achieve equity in the treatment of offenders and to reduce overcrowding in prisons.

A recommendation was made by a member of the public for sentencing guidelines similar to what obtains in the Untied States of America to be introduced to the Jamaican justice system.

According to Susan Reid-Jones, justice reform project adviser, Jamaicans feel that there is disparity in how persons are being sentenced for offences of a similar nature. "People feel that there is a need for greater consistency in sentencing," she said.

Other concerns included overcrowding in cells and holding areas, access to legal aid and the level of remuneration for legal aid lawyers. Persons also raised concerns about how users of the court system were being treated by court staff and judges, arguing that judges should see themselves as providing a service to the public.

Mrs. Reid-Jones said there was general agreement that legal fees were too high and out of the reach of ordinary Jamaicans.

She also said persons attending the consultations complained that lawyers do not attend court until the entire legal fee has been paid.

Keeping with the principles

The consultation of the justice reform process was designed to engage a wide cross section of the Jamaican public in keeping with the principles and objectives of the Government's Consultation Code and the need to ensure the credibility of the reform process.

"We are using the process as an opportunity to empower the Jamaican people, improve their knowledge of the court and justice system, and to ensure that the long-term development of justice service delivery reflects the views and responds to the needs and concerns of the Jamaican people," said project manager of the Jamaican Justice Reform project, Peter Parchment.

The Justice Reform Project is expected to develop strategies and mechanisms to facilitate the modernisation of the justice system to meet the current and future needs of Jamaicans.

A final report on the meetings will be forwarded to a national consultation scheduled for some time in May.