Jamaica’s Prime Minister said new legislation is coming to enhance crime fighting.

Trending in Jamaica News: Jamaica’s Prime Minister said new legislation is coming to enhance crime fighting.

Recently Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, told the House of Representatives that the Jamaican Government was preparing legislation that, when signed into law, would stipulate harsher sentences for murder. Here is what the Prime Minister said:

“My thoughts on the matter, though not yet finalized, is that we should give 30 years minimum for murder. And the Minister of Justice has been directed to bring forward these changes immediately,” 

“We may not be able to catch this year, but early next year, we will be coming to the House with amendments to the penalty for murder.”

Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s Prime Minister

The Prime Minister made the statement while opening the debate on resolutions to extend the SOEs that he had declared in seven parishes.

The Government used its two-thirds majority to approve the extension, but the Opposition blocked it.

The PM also mentioned the ESMA or Enhanced Security Measures Act which he said was in the draft stage. And Cabinet submission was expected in December. According to the PM, the ESMA will include measures for detention and the establishment of a criminal watch list.

Regarding the progress of the Bail Act, the PM said it is under review by a joint select Committee, and it should become effective in early 2023. However, he said the public is welcome to make suggestions by the end of November 2022.

Holness also mentioned that the outdated Fingerprint Act of 1936 will be reviewed. Holness said it is easier to get a DNA sample than a fingerprint. But the new Fingerprint Act will expand the powers of a judge to order fingerprints and photographs for several offenses.

Shockingly, Jamaica does not have updated forensic tools that modern police departments are using to aid in the fight against crime. No wonder why the conviction rate is so low. Recently The Privy Council set a murderer free because the JCF did not have the forensic tools to test for gunshot residue. Granted that that case was in 2003.