Law to be changed to prohibit imprisoning children deemed "uncontrollable"

Progress is being reported towards removing a controversial provision from the Child Care and Protection Act which allows the authorities to imprison children labelled as uncontrollable.

Following Monday's complaint about the issue by human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison, has explained that steps are being taken to address the problem.

The issue is not a new one, but it was recently highlighted by Public Defender Arlene Harrison Henry who expressed concern for 66 children who are in custody for non-criminal offences and who were without legal representation.

JFJ Executive Director Rodje Malcolm also called for the government to remove the provision as it breaches the constitutional rights of the children.

But, according to the Children's Advocate, who spoke Monday on Beyond he Headlines, the matter has been "under active consideration since January," aimed at correcting the problem.

Elaborating, she said there had been collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education, "which is the line ministry... that would have to carry through this particular amendment."