JUSTICE Minister Delroy Chuck has appealed to parents and guardians to keep their children out of the grasp of so-called dons and gangs as they could face dire consequences if they commit illegal acts.

Chuck was speaking on Friday at a child diversion forum at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, where he argued that children must be given chances and warned that if they willingly commit gruesome acts their punishment will be severe.

“In speaking generally about young offenders, which is what child diversion is about, I warn families, the parents to please keep your children out of trouble and especially save them from those malicious persons in your communities who want to draft them into gangs. It is of utmost importance that we save our children and ensure they live a productive life in Jamaica,” Chuck said in his address to the forum which was held under the theme, ‘Act Now, Partner for Justice, Healing and Hope’.

“When it comes to the children, we have to urge parents and teachers to tell our young men especially not to be persuaded by those who don’t mean them any good. The so-called dons and area leaders who are coercing them to carry a gun and to use it, sometimes it is not in your interest to agree and believe and accept the direction of these so-called gang leaders.

“We have to call on our young people to avoid getting into trouble, avoid holding a gun, avoid those who are trying to coerce you into gang activity. Please, it is important not only for yourself but for your family. If you engage in any act of violence or killing, the victim’s family may very well come back for you and your family, and that is what causes the cycle of violence in our society and creates so many hundreds of murders annually,” added Chuck.

He pointed out that legislative changes now going through Parliament will mandate that serious punishment be handed down to young offenders who wilfully participate in serious criminal activity such as capital murder.

If they are involved in non-capital murder, the power of exercising leniency on the youngster will rest with a judge.

“What we did in Parliament on [last] Tuesday was to say that if it is capital murder, where a young offender engages in really serious criminal activity — take it up on themselves to get a sub-machine gun or a gun and start shooting several persons — then the sentence must reflect the seriousness of the offence.

“It will be life imprisonment or a term of imprisonment not less than 30 years, but they must serve at least 15 years. We hope that any murder done by the young offender is not capital. If it is non-capital then it is totally up to the judge. The judge can look at the nature and gravity of the offence, the interest of the offender, bearing in mind how it took place and the judge can impose a sentence and also a term that must be served before the young offender is released,”said Chuck.

He praised the administrators of the Child Diversion Programme for the success it has achieved by giving many young people a second chance in life after they ran afoul of the law.

“I can say without fear of contradiction that the few who I have met, who have been through the programme, speak very highly of the mentorship and of the support they have had. I am aware that those who have been put on the programme, they go through mentorship, they go through individual and family counselling. They have educational and skills training, drug counselling, and they get sexual and reproductive health education, and we ensure that they broaden themselves,” Chuck noted.

“I remember one of these youngsters coming to one of these forums at the Ministry of Justice, and he said that when he got into trouble, he felt life was nothing but darkness, he couldn’t really see what the future held for him. He said that after the mentorship programme he began to see the light…and he now sees a future,”

In the meantime, Jamie-Ann Chevannes, principal director of the ministry’s Social Justice Division, noted that since 2020 children ages 12 to 17 have been redirected from the formal criminal justice system to the Child Diversion Programme.

She said child diversion is more than an initiative and described it as a movement that believes in second chances, rehabilitation over retribution, and community over condemnation.

“It is rooted in the understanding that children in conflict with the law are still children, capable of change, worthy of compassion, and deserving of our support. The Social Justice Division is also pleased that we provide a suite of services that focus on a balanced approach to justice. Along with diverting children from the formal justice system, those who are victims of crime are provided with psychological and emotional support and guidance that is needed to navigate the justice system.

“This is offered through our Victim Services Branch. Relationships are also mended through our healing circles that provide a safe and open space for children to have dialogue through using our restorative justice programme. It is my hope that this forum ignites not only conversation but action. May it strengthen our resolve to protect, guide, and empower every child who needs a way forward. The time to act is now, and not tomorrow,” said Chevannes.