Jungle Justice
South Camp prison in Kingston photo by Christina Xu
What I am about to write, is not unrelated to my last post about police in Jamaica dispensing their own kind of justice.
In a clear admission that the court system is not working, the Prime minister says the system is under “severe stress”; he and his Justice Minister have come up with this idea of “restorative justice”. It’s a project where, as far as I can tell, ordinary people can get some kind of training and then dispense this within their communities.
I’d be interested in looking at the whole system of justice in Jamaica – or rather the lack of it. Starting off at the gun court, where witnesses are afraid to speak out and murderers go free. Then to look at how the law works through the eyes of one of the island’s lawyers. I knew someone who always had to go to the police station to get her nephew bailed out all the time, but those youths (his friends) who did not have a family member knowledgable in the law, then there was an entirely different kind of justice for them – usually ending up in GP.
Then there’s jungle justice that this new programme is trying to replace.
But why replace it?
Jungle justice is cheap, because it doesn’t involve expensive lawyers, it’s quick because no court delays hold it up, it’s a deterrent because it usually involves an execution and it’s a clear for all to see, because it happens right there on the street.
Seems rather more effective than what happens in the Gun Court.
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Without a doubt,there are numerous problems wrong with Jamaica’s justice/judicial system.But,to cavalierly advocate or promulgate jungle justice and vigilantism as the possible alternative or answer in delivering justice to the Jamaican people is totally and categorically wrong.Irrespective of —- jungle justice —- its perceived cost effectiveness,its efficiencies,and its supposed deterrent.Jungle justice is definitely not the answer, and I repeat, not the answer for Jamaica, even although elements or features of this justice is obtained in certain quarters of the society, especially,in the urban garrisons, fiefdoms and quasi-states of the society. Jamaica’s judicial system needs to be totally revamped from top to bottom, with respect to reforms,restructuring, enforcement, personnel and application of justice, with the rule of law being the central tenet/principle.And, which must be mandatory and critically adhered to by all and sundry, irrespective, of social class, race, ethnicity,colour, religion, big man, small man, uptowner, downtowner, etc.For Jamaica as a society and a people to move in the direction of jungle justice and abandon the rule of law as spelled out in the island’s constitution,we would be joining the uncivilized and brutish nations of the world. It is critically essential, that Jamaica degarrisonizes these wretched communities, that practice(s) and utilize(s) jungle justice and vigilantism in addressing and resolving various issues. And,of course, re-incorporate,re-order,re-structure and re-integrate such troubled communities within the ambit and purview of Jamaica’s jurisprudence, as opposed to leaving or abandoning such communities to their own devices and the barbarism, brutishness,savagery and atrocities of jungle justice practised and doled out by the exploitative dons.JUNGLE JUSTICE IS NOT THE ANSWER!! THE RULE OF LAW MUST PREVAIL !! Nuff respect!!
yes that is preferable esteban to have a proper rule of law and working justice system, but i was just looking at the reality of the situation, in the absence of money and a working system imposed by the British, isn’t jungle justice what people and communities have used for centuries?
Jungle justice is on the rise, specifically, in areas such as praedial larceny,nonetheless, such behaviouur cannot and should not be condoned.Nuff respect!!
MERRY XMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR, NINA !!
Our justice system need overhauling. It takes too long for cases to be tried. There is corruption in the police force.
and the jury system is vulnerable to corruption.
Vigilante justice will continue till we sort out the problems and develop confidence in it.
yes michael – you are so right
1680 murders recorded in Jamaica for 2009, surpassing the 2005 high of 1674. Totally outrageous !!
Mr.Owen Ellington is the new Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The death toll for the month of January, is 125 Jamaicans murdered, of which, 17 included females.At this rate, the 1680 murders, a record for 2009 will definitely be surpassed.Undoubtedly, Jamaica is BLEEDING TO DEATH and the authorities are totally impotent in abating this blood letting.
Bwoy, mi nah tell yuh nuh lie, the murder rate is just overwhelming . Four hundred and nine murders since the beginning of the year. The killing field is getting hotter with the passing of each day. This is just totally outrageous !! Also, there are 400,000 untried cases backed up in the judicial system. Shockingly unbelievable !! THINGS FALL APART !! THE CENTRE CANNOT HOLD !!