Trelawny Justices Association president imploring JPs to visit lock-ups to protect rights of detainees

President of the Trelawny Justices Association, Ken Grant, is calling for justices of the peace in the parish to fulfil their mandate of making routine visits to lock-ups, saying this is important to ensuring that the rights of persons in custody are being upheld.

Grant is expressing concern that JPs have been failing to carry out this critical duty.

“We have 240 justices in the parish, and 90% of the reports from the justices do not include even one jail visit,” he told The Gleaner.

“This is not good,” Grant underscored.

Grant argued that JPs play an important role in the justice system and that protecting the rights of detainees is a key part of that.

“Anyone held is innocent until proven guilty. They must be charged, offered bail, see a lawyer, or be taken to court. A visit by a justice to any lock-up in Jamaica helps to maintain the rights of anyone so incarcerated.”

- Leon Jackson

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