Let’s introduce day-fines!
Dear Editor,
Criminal fines in Jamaica are the same for all. A fine of $6,000 to $15,000 for speeding is a week’s pay to some, a month’s pay for others, and a brief after-work drink on the town for the most privileged.
As such, while it is a great deterrent for some — or an incentive to offer $3,000 to $8,000 in bribe for others — it will in no way impact the behaviour of others.
If we are serious, we need to consider a practice used in some countries, where penalties are set in day-fines. A day-fine is a fine that, above a minimum, is based on personal income. So, for example, speeding might have fines of four, six or eight day-fines.
Increasing the fixed fine only serves to disproportionately punish the poor, encourage bribery, and will have little impact on the behaviour of the wealthy. Punishment, in a perfect world, should impact equally all those who break the laws.
Doreen A E McGann
isedora9@hotmail.com
