Henry-Wilson PERSONS FOUND guilty of trading in or distributing obscene material could soon find themselves paying hefty fines and longer jail terms as Cabinet has given drafting instructions for the proposed amendments to the Obscene Publications (Suppression of) Act.
Senator Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Information, said the move to amend the Act was against the background of the general breakdown of discipline in the society which she said was "cause for concern". She was speaking at Tuesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica house.
The recommendation is that the current fine of J$40 which the Cabinet says "represents an insufficient punitive measure" be increased to $400,000. It is further proposed that the accompanying custodial sentence be increased from three months to six months with or without hard labour.
"The Ministry of National Security and Justice envisage that the new penalties will curtail some of the activities which contribute to the moral degradation of our society," a Cabinet document said. The proposals have been considered and approved by the Security Council.
Any person found to be involved in the trade, distribution or public exhibition of material deemed obscene is guilty of an offence under Jamaican law. The same applies for those found to be in possession of obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, pictures, posters, cinematography films and other such material.
Also, a Resident Magistrate is empowered by law to issue a warrant to search if there is "reasonable cause" to suspect that an individual is in possession of obscene matters or things. It is also lawful for the Resident Magistrate to order the destruction of any such obscene matter or thing.
