Cabinet changes could further delay relocation of incarcerated children - Gullotta

 

Carla Gullotta, Executive Director of Stand Up For Jamaica, is concerned that the delay in relocating incarcerated children deemed uncontrollable will be further lengthened with the changes in the Cabinet.

 

Matthew Samuda, who had responsibility for correctional services, has been replaced by Zavia Mayne.

 

Ms Gullotta also noted the transfer of State Minister in the Youth Ministry, Robert Morgan, who had been leading the charge for legislative change to the Child Care and Protection Act under which a judge may make a correctional order in respect of a child brought before the court.

 

Mr. Samuda and Mr. Morgan have been appointed to the Office of the Prime Minister.

 

Ms Gullotta is worried that the progress made to relocate the children may be overshadowed by the problems in the Ministry of Education and Youth. 

 

"I am also concerned about the fact that months are passing...at this time it's almost 10 months, and nothing has been done. So, while the political arena as is changing, shifting, is progressing, is regressing, there are a set of people which are under their jurisdiction and they are suffering, and they're not numbers, they are people, so I don't know what's going to happen," she lamented.