Kids out of lock-ups by Sept - Nelson

National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson is seeking to assure the nation that plans remain under way to refurbish the Metcalfe Street Remand Centre and relocate all children now in police lock-ups, albeit a month later than hoped.

Nelson was responding to concerns raised by Children's Advocate Mary Clarke who scolded the Government for continuing to hold juveniles in lock-ups.

"Unfortunately, the recent situation in west Kingston has set us back about four weeks, but we are continuing to work, the army is continuing to work, and hopefully (the refurbishing) will be completed by September, at which time we will be able to move all the children out of lock-ups," Nelson said.

In yesterday's edition of The Sunday Gleaner, Clarke complained that as of June 18, there were 105 children in lock-ups across the island.

"The Government is breaking the law because the law says children must not be held in lock-ups unless they are remanded by the courts," the children's advocate fumed.

Yesterday, Nelson said the Government was also concerned about the situation.

In the meantime, the security minister said the Government was closely monitoring the situation at the lock-ups where the children are being held.

He said he has already made a submission to Cabinet to recruit 300 additional staffers for the Metcalfe Street Remand Centre.