MANY OF the jurors who turned up at the Supreme Court, downtown Kingston, yesterday, to do their civic duty were upset that "basic necessities" such as toilet paper and soap were not in the jurors' bathroom.
"It is a disgrace that we are summoned to serve and in this civilised day and age there is no toilet paper provided for us to use," a female juror remarked.
A male juror said he made enquiries as to the reason no toilet paper was in the male jurors' bathroom but could not get a satisfactory explanation.
PROVIDING THEIR OWN
Noting that they were likely to be fined if they did not attend court, jurors argued that the authorities should at least see to it that such basic necessities are provided for them.
Reports are that members of the court staff and judges have to be providing their own toilet paper since September last year.
Court officials refused to comment yesterday when asked why the jurors were not supplied with toilet paper.
Michael Cohen, senior public relations officer in the Ministry of Justice, said yesterday that the Ministry was not aware of the situation.
Jurors are not only deprived of toilet paper but also have to go without the refreshment which they were served daily for the last five years. They usually get a cold or hot drink at the 15-minute break at 11.30 a.m. each day but since September last year they have not been served a cold drink.
