Not All Prisoners to Get Conjugal Visits – Security Ministry
On Monday, National Security Minister – Robert Montague announced that prisoners currently serving time behind bars in Jamaica will start receiving conjugal visits.
The Ministry of National Security has since provided some additional details on the issue.
Via a release, the ministry notes that only prisoners who meet required criteria will be afforded the privilege of receiving conjugal visits.
Criteria to be used in crafting the policy to determine if conjugal visits are granted will include are not limited to:
-type of crime committed
-the length of time left on the sentence
-changed behaviour
-deportment of the prisoner
-being in a stable relationship
The visits will not take place on cell blocks.
The granting of conjugal visits is a part of the Ministry of National Security’s plans to help persons leaving correctional facilities to be reintegrated into society.
“The plan is part of the 5-Pillar Crime Strategy which speaks of Rehabilitation and Reintegration. It is part of a wider set of reform programmes including Chess in Prison, Sports, WE-Transform as we move to create a safer and gentler society” said Minister Montague.
The National Security Minister pointed out that if the outcomes are to be changed, then there must be a change to the strategy. “We cannot continue to do the same things repeatedly and expect a different outcome” reiterated Minister Montague.
A number of initiatives and improvements have been undertaken in correctional facilities in an effort to improve the conditions.
These include:
-Reclassification of all inmates
-Provision of waiting areas for family members visiting prisoners
-Increased searches which have resulted in the seizure of more than $300-thousand dollars and over 100 cellular telephones since May 2017
-Restoration of cell phone jammers
-Increased agriculture production by prisoners using hydroponic system purchased from the College of Agriculture, Science & Education
-Marked improvement in the CXC results of juveniles
Minister Montague said a Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed with HEART Trust /NTA and the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning which will ensure that all prisoners will leave the institution literate.
He is encouraging Jamaicans to continue the dialogue regarding security issues and to provide suggestions, ideas and criticism via the Ministry’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages, or via email, [email protected].
The National Security Minister is calling on Jamaicans to do their part and report crimes using the Stay Alert App, available from the Google and Apple Stores or by providing the information in an envelope, mark an X on it, and drop in any post office box
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