JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson
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Mickel Jackson
By Racquel Porter
Executive Director at Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), Mickel Jackson, is calling for the government, in its review of the Sex Offender Registry, not to make it public but to broaden categories of those who can access and ensure effective utilisation by those who already have access.
Ms. Jackson's call comes hours after Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang directed the ministry's legal team to conduct a review of existing legislation to determine the extent to which it allows for wider sharing of information concerning convicted sex offenders.
Ms. Jackson said, while that is being done, JFJ is calling for amendment of the Sexual Offences Act as well as ongoing education on the Sex Offender Registry.
She argued that although the Sexual Offences Act was reviewed and a joint select committee made recommendations in 2018, to date, "none of the laws governing sexual assault have actually been amended".
"So before we get to Sex Offender Registry being made public, I think the question I have to ask the government of Jamaica, how far advanced are they to ensuring that the laws around sexual offences are actually being amended to offer greater protection to possible victims?"
The law currently allows for select institutions to be advised of details concerning convicted offenders, upon request of the institution.
These institutions include schools.
The pending review follows Monday's revelation by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of crime Fitz Bailey that the suspect arrested in the abduction and murder of school teacher Danielle Anglin had prior convictions for sexual offences in Jamaica and Antigua.
This sparked fresh debate about the opening up of the Sex Offender Registry.
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