THE JAMAICA Social Policy Evaluation (JASPEV) programme is pushing for the introduction of a diversionary programme for youngsters who get involved in petty crimes.
JASPEV member Harold Crooks told Parliament's Human Resources and Social Development committee yesterday that the diversionary programme would entail the use of alternative methods of responding to youngsters who have committed crimes.
As an example Mr. Crooks, who is a security consultant and head of security at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), said a youngster could be sent to counselling sessions rather than appear before the family court for committing a crime.
However, the police would first have to agree that the case is appropriate for diversion and the parents and youngster would have to consent to participation in the programme.
"It's an officially sanctioned programme in most democracies," Mr. Crooks said.
He added: "It avoids the stigma of a court appearance and (encourages) all other advantages that would come out of such a programme."
Mr. Crooks said diversionary programmes are formal systems introduced by legislation or administration.
CONSIDERATION
When asked by Government committee member, Dr. Morais Guy, just how far consideration of such a programme in Jamaica has reached, Mr. Crooks said it appeared to be in the works.
"It is a specific recommendation of JASPEV, but I understand that somewhere in the justice system there is a move in this direction," he said.
Several JASPEV members took part in the committee meeting to outline the policy evaluation programme's first annual report on National Security Policy Goals 2003.
The report analysed several areas including Human Security, Governance, the Environment, and Social Integration.
