Dear Editor,

In a bid to increase efficiency of information management in the justice system, the Management Information Systems Department in the Ministry of Justice has completed several projects geared toward the computerisation of the courts. This is being done in accordance with the objectives of the Jamaican Justice System Reform agenda.

Some of these projects and upgrades were done between January 2009 and August 2010. But the entire computerisation process is ongoing.

* Real Time Transcription was implemented in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. This will enable judges to have instant access to court transcripts. There was also the provision of internet in 19 courts, including all Resident Magistrates’ courts. This is important for some key personnel like Resident Magistrates and Clerks of Courts to do research online. It is also important for computer maintenance purposes.

* High capacity servers were also procured and configured for the Supreme Court. The objective was to provide increased capacity and reliability to manage the courts’ computers and application software systems. As a result, the Supreme Court computer servers will be the central hub in the establishment of a Wide Area Network for the courts of Jamaica.

* The implementation of the Voice Over Internet Protocol network, audio and computing equipment for the new Port Antonio Resident Magistrate’s Court. The technology implemented at this court represents a model of the technological infrastructure requirements to provide court automation.

* To facilitate the implementation of the Traffic Ticket Management System, computing equipment was installed in all Resident Magistrates’ Courts as well as the Kingston Traffic Court. The equipment includes computers, printers, network switches, and network cabling to facilitate connectivity to the TTMS application.

* Court reporters are also slated to be furnished with 37 laptop computers, 15 of which have already been made available to them. The remaining 22 laptops will be available by the end of the year. These tools are intended to enhance the performance to encourage a quicker turnaround time in the preparation of court transcripts. The court reporters are also set to receive additional training as well as more equipment, including the PC-based Computer-Aided Transcription software, digital audio recording devices, etc.

With regard to projects in progress, the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice’s website are high on the agenda, both of which will bear the same important information but will improve in design, aesthetics and functionality.

* There will also be an upgrade of Case Management Software, that is, the Judicial Enforcement Management System at the Supreme Court. This project is also expected to be completed by the end of the year. The main objective is to increase the functionality and capability of the Judicial Enforcement Management Systems at the Supreme Court.

* Additionally, the deployment of Jury Management System at the Supreme Court is also in progress. This system will provide the requisite functionality for the jury selection and management processes.

* The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will also be outfitted with the Prosecuting Attorney Software (PAS) following the deployment of the JEMS upgrades and JMS. With PAS, the crown counsels and support staff can perform case management tasks efficiently and accurately, resulting in increased productivity. This project is expected to be completed by the end of this fiscal year.

The work is being done by the Management Information Systems Unit, headed by acting director, Damion Kelly.

Kahmile Reid

Communication Specialist

Ministry of Justice

Kingston 5

kahmile.reid@moj.gov.jm