Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security - file photo
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Matthew Samuda
The Ministry of National Security has responded to complaints from lawyers, as well as some human rights groups that they are being denied access to clients in prisons and lock ups.
Groups such as Stand Up For Jamaica argue that this is an abuse of the detainees' and prisoners' rights.
Stand Up For Jamaica has attributed the difficulties to the recent release of George Williams, who was in custody without trial for 50 years.
However, Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security, said the recent restrictions have been due to safety concerns.
"I think there is a greater understanding of the procedures that we've had to put in place. These are not normal times, this is us doing our best to protect our inmates from the entry of COVID into our facilities," Mr. Samuda sought to explain.
He said the information requested by Stand Up For Jamaica has been provided and their continued work - in fact, an "all hands on deck" approach - is needed to "bring about resolution to what has been a long-standing issue and one that has been a black eye on the nation."
There has been added focus on the justice system in recent times, following three cases where persons were locked up for decades without trial.
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