June 30, 2024
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Human rights groups are urging the Jamaican government to adopt a similar approach to neighboring Antigua and Barbuda when it comes to transferring mentally unstable prisoners to specialized facilities.
According to Stand Up For Jamaica (SUFJ) and Jamaica Federation for Justice (JFJ), prisons are often used to house the mentally ill who require specialized care.
Rights groups point to a promising pilot project at the Portland Rehabilitation Administration Center and say such programs, which combine treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of the mentally ill into society where feasible, are a better option than incarceration.
The groups have urged the Japanese government to adopt a medical rather than detention approach, pointing out that prioritizing mental health care respects human rights and could have additional benefits, such as preventing overcrowding.
Additionally, these groups say that developing diversion programs to keep the mentally ill out of the justice system and integrate them into supportive communities can prevent well-known cases such as Noel Chambers, who was held without trial for more than 40 years and died in poor conditions, and George Williams, who was imprisoned without trial for 50 years and was offered only $6 million in compensation.
