SENIOR research fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies (SALISES) Dr Dacia Leslie, in insisting that many victims or survivors of crime are left in the dark about developments in their cases, says “there is a critical and urgent need for a fully operational National victim information and notification system (NVINS) in Jamaica”.

The tool, which exists in several jurisdictions outside Jamaica, typically notifies victims of crimes about the status change of an offender, and is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Such systems provide real-time notifications on important case developments, including court dates, hearings, bail decisions, parole status, and any changes in the offender’s location or release.

Leslie, who is also chair of the Crime Prevention & Offender Management Research Cluster, in responding to queries from the Jamaica Observer as to the utility of such a system in the island, said: “Although there have been various efforts to improve victim support and communication, these initiatives remain fragmented and have not yet been integrated into a cohesive, national system for real-time victim or survivor notifications.”

“As it stands, many victims or survivors are left in the dark, unaware of important developments in their cases. This uncertainty fosters anxiety and increases the risk of retaliation and further harm. In many instances, victims may not be promptly informed if an offender is granted bail, released or transferred to another facility. Such delays can lead to precarious situations where victims are unprepared or unaware of potential threats,” Leslie said.

“Moreover, for those unfamiliar with the legal process, navigating the system can be overwhelming. Limited access to legal resources, combined with a limited understanding about how the judicial system works, further exacerbates the problem, particularly for especially vulnerable witnesses,” she said further.

“The development and sustained implementation of an NVINS would, therefore, be a significant step forward in enhancing witness care in Jamaica. Such an initiative could improve client-centred care, increase victim safety, foster greater public trust in the justice system, and better protect vulnerable individuals,” the SALISES senior research fellow at The University of the West Indies Mona campus opined.

Leslie said implementing an NVINS in Jamaica requires careful attention to areas for capacity development, including having a robust technological infrastructure, skilled human resources, and a supportive legal framework.

“Tangible steps for developing these capacities for witness care in general are already outlined in the Integrated Strategic Plan for witness care in Jamaica (2020), which addresses the need for technology upgrades, training programmes, and data protection measures. Financial resources must also be allocated for system development, maintenance, and scaling, ensuring its sustainability over time. Public awareness campaigns and multi-channel communication strategies are essential to ensure that victims across Jamaica, particularly in rural areas, can access the system,” she said.

Leslie also noted that collaboration across law enforcement, the judiciary, and victim support agencies will be vital to ensuring the system’s integration and effectiveness.

In the meantime, the Crime Prevention & Offender Management Research Cluster chair, outlining how such a system would work, said “the successful establishment and implementation of an NVINS in Jamaica will require sustained political will, support from all relevant stakeholders — including the government, law enforcement, and the judiciary — and local ownership”.

“Data protection and privacy protocols must be robust to safeguard victim and offender information. A readiness assessment should be conducted to evaluate technological infrastructure, legal frameworks, and resource availability, while also highlighting other critical considerations such as system scalability and long-term sustainability. Additionally, capacity development for personnel and training on system usage is critical with refresher trainings built-in,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Leslie emphasised that the system “should be user-friendly and accessible, particularly for vulnerable groups, including those in rural areas and persons with disabilities”, adding, “survivors must also know how to access and use the system”.

In pointing out that the Jamaican Government “has shown interest in advancing the justice sector through technological solutions and recent efforts to modernise the judicial system, which could provide a solid foundation for an NVINS”, Leslie said “the growing digital infrastructure, including increased Internet access and mobile phone usage, can be leveraged to facilitate real-time notifications via SMS [short message service], e-mail, or mobile apps”.

Leslie, in acknowledging that large-scale, widely recognised NVINS like those in the United States or United Kingdom are not yet operational across the Caribbean, said countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have undertaken initiatives focused on victim support services and information sharing within the justice system.

In lamenting that “lessons learned and best practices from these efforts are not widely documented or shared”, Leslie called for “urgent region-specific research in this area”.

“An NVINS in Jamaica would significantly bolster the rights of victims by ensuring they are informed and empowered throughout the judicial process. Timely updates on court dates, offender status, and parole decisions would help survivors make informed choices about their safety. Such a system could also promote transparency, accountability, and trust in the justice system. Indeed, if it is a secure, cohesive and just society we desire, then protecting the right of victims to be informed, involved, and secure must take centre stage,” she told the Sunday Observer.

The research fellow said timely updates on court dates, offender status, and parole decisions would help survivors make informed choices about their safety.

LESLIE…as it stands, many victims or survivors are left in the dark, unaware of important developments in their cases