Justice on the ground
“Restorative justice provides an opportunity for everyone to participate in a national peace-building effort. Government has provided the framework to allow for this participation by way of a National Policy on Restorative Justice in 2012 and the passage of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Restorative Justice) Act, 2016. The implementing agency – the Ministry of Justice – has lead responsibility for developing the restorative practices capacity in the country to support the effective administration of justice”. Carol Palmer, CD, JP, Permanent Secretary
AS THE Ministry of Justice moves to create a new face of justice in Jamaica, significant steps were taken to strengthen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in keeping with the objective of creating a multidoor justice system.
This involves, among other things, strengthening the restorative justice capacity of the country to achieve the ambitious goal of making Jamaica the first restorative justice country in the world.
The objective of restorative justice is to provide an alternative to retributive justice by focusing on reconciliation through forgiveness, healing, and respect.
Approximately 117 persons have been trained in the practice over the last 12 months, and Jamaicans can access services at a number of Restorative Justice Centres islandwide. See table.
Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of justices of the peace (JPs) trained so far in this fiscal year.
Seven hundred and seventyfive new JPs have been trained, representing close to a 90 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Specialised training in several areas, including mediation, petty sessions, and new legislation were provided to approximately 740 JPs.
The increase in the number of JPs and the expansion of training in restorative justice will allow for more Jamaicans to have access to alternative dispute resolution services through the parish justice centres.