Killers in Jamaica have again been put on notice that they will be put away for a long time when caught and convicted.
On Tuesday, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck tabled in the House of Representatives, the Offences Against The Person (Amendment) Bill and the Criminal Justice (Administration) (Amendment) Bill that, when overhauled, are expected to significantly lengthen prison sentences for murder.
In doing so, Chuck argued that “the reputational damage to brand Jamaica resulting from the exceedingly high murder rate and the perceptions of insecurity in the country, cannot be overstated.”
In the future, persons found guilty of capital murder could face up to a half a century behind bars.
The justice minister outlined that the increased mandatory minimum sentences will provide greater alignment between the sentencing regimes governing serious crimes and the public’s expectations of the justice system.
