POINT, Hanover — Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has unveiled bold plans for a major expansion of the child diversion programme, alongside the upcoming launch of a nationwide social harmony initiative in 2026. These measures are aimed at fostering youth rehabilitation and promoting a more tolerant society.

“We’re going to extend it some more. In Parliament next year we’re going to have a joint select committee to look at the Child Diversion Act to expand it even more, because it is so extremely successful,” he revealed.

The minister was speaking during the commissioning of 26 justices of the peace (JP) during a ceremony held at Grand Palladium Hotel in Point, Hanover, last Friday. He said the courts and police have been making headway by using the programme, and the goal is to build on that.

“They are referring these wayward youngsters, who have been charged or who have committed some criminal act, to child diversion mentors — and [they] are extremely successful,” stated Chuck.

“But we want to widen it so that guidance counsellors can also refer wayward persons, and other persons can bring to the attention of the Child Diversion Office how best to assist many of our youngsters who have gone astray — many of them almost on the verge of joining gangs,” he added.

Jamaica’s Child Diversion Act (2018) provides a progressive framework for diverting young offenders from the formal criminal justice system, providing alternative interventions. Operational since January 2020 under the Child Diversion Act, the programme aims to reduce child incarceration, promote rehabilitation, and address underlying issues.

Last week, rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) reported that a review of the 1,517 referrals made since the start of the child diversion programme in 2020 to January 2024 showed that 690 children (547 males, 143 females) successfully completed the programme, representing a 45 per cent completion rate.

It said the number of children returned to referral sites now stands at 203 (149 males and 54 females). According to the JFJ, the average rate of returned or failed-to-complete cases is 13 per cent.

According to JFJ, the programme holds significant promise as a mechanism for addressing juvenile delinquency and reducing recidivism rates but it said identified challenges such as the absence of comprehensive data and evaluation reports, as well as the shortage of qualified mental health professionals and social workers, must be resolved.

In the meantime, Chuck gave the new JPs an update on plans for a nationwide Social Harmony Programme that is expected to be launched in 2026. The initiative will focus on promoting civility, decency, and tolerance across Jamaica.

“If we can learn to get along with one another with decency and civility then Jamaica can be a better place. There’s no reason why we should always be in discord with one another. Why should we have to behave with arrogance and in a manner that [suggests we believe] that we’re better than others?” questioned Chuck.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Delroy Chuck (seated, third left) and Custos Rotulorum of Hanover Lennox Anderson Jackson (seated, second right) sharing lens time with the 26 justices of the peace for Hanover that were commissioned last Friday. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)