The Editor, Sir:

The current talk of new legislation to curtail some 'freedoms' that we now enjoy has created quite a stir in Jamaica. It should be everyone's concern indeed considering the inevitable outcome of such laws being enforced. Consequently, our law-abiding citizens will often find themselves detained, solely under suspicion, for up to a month and possibly more.

I feel the legislators have not taken a very keen look at the state of our prison system lately, nor have they examined thoroughly the process experienced during such instances. We definitely need a crime-management plan that works. However, I do not believe in a regression of the law to the '80s when my brother was detained for over a month under deplorable and inhumane conditions at the Lucea lock-up for 36 days. The country certainly does not need this nor do we need to hang murderers to reduce the murder rate. There can be no tolerable number of murders, and hanging is just a 'legal' method; it is still morally incorrect and a gross disregard for human rights.

attack at the core

I am imploring the prime minister and his Cabinet to attack the core of the problem and stop this tit-for-tat mentality; you do this then we do that, you try to breathe and we squeeze tighter. How many persons, while in the act of committing a murder, will think that they are going to be executed if caught? I would like to ask the death-row inmates that question even though I already know the answer.

Even if they were to say they thought of their own conviction and hanging, they would add that they do not care because they'd already done their deed and felt exhilarated and satisfied. There are other solutions to curb the crime rate, however implementing them at this stage is akin to closing the gate after the horse has gone a furlong down the road, hence the easier way out; stiffer penalties regardless of how much our citizens' rights are infringed upon.

I am, etc.,

GARTH BROWN

garth.r0nbr0wn@gmail.com

Hanover

Via Go-Jamaica