Some Jamaicans could have drug trafficking convictions expunged under JLP gov't

 

Jamaicans convicted of drug trafficking and who have not reoffended could have their records expunged if the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) gets another opportunity to become government.

 

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang made the promise while addressing the JLP political meeting in St. James on Sunday.

 

Certain offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act fall under the third schedule of the Criminal Records Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, which does not allow some convictions to be expunged.

 

Dr. Chang said a new JLP administration will modify changes made by a previous People's National Party government.

 

He told the audience at the rally that a number of Jamaicans continue to be punished because of a 2014 amendment to the Criminal Records Act, led by former Justice Minister Mark Golding. 

 

"I have met at least a dozen Montegoneans who suffer from this. All of you know the likkle time when in Montego Bay and things a run, a man swallow a likkle ting and run go Miami or New York and get a money, right? It was almost like a fad.... It is called trafficking. It wasn't right. They abused the interests and the inquisitiveness of young people. But it happened," admitted Dr. Chang. 

 

"Trafficking is under Schedule 3 of the law [and] that minister [in 2014] put the Schedule 3 in a section that can never get expungement. And there are a lot of people in Montego Bay, they have a life sentence," he bemoaned.