Some Jamaicans see nothing wrong with corrupt activities - study

 

A recent study on public perception towards corruption, has revealed that a section of the population does not consider engaging in corrupt activities as illegal.

 

Paul Bourne, Data Analyst and Director of Research at Northern Caribbean University, said the study shows that a significant number of people knowingly engage in illegal activity but feel it is part of Jamaican culture.

 

Mr. Bourne said while the majority of people who engage in such activities know their actions are wrong, there is small percentage who see nothing wrong. 

 

"We asked the question 'Are you engaged in corruption?' and 10 per cent of our sample said that they are engaged in corruption," he revealed. 

 

He said while 84% of those people say the activities outlined were corrupt activities, 16 per cent of them did not see certain practices as being corrupt. 

 

Mr. Bourne warned that this mindset is detrimental to the society. 

 

"You pay a policeman, you pay for your driver's licence, you steal water or you steal light, and you're saying these things are not corrupt? Now, that is an indication for certain thinking that we definitely need to examine, because if it is that a person cannot see these things as corrupt, what else are they doing, or what are they not doing?" he questioned. 

 

He was speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.

 

The research is from a Gleaner-commissioned study that sought to gauge public perception on corruption.