By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterTHE GOVERNMENT yesterday revised its policy of searching lawyers visiting their clients at the island's penal facilities, including the maximum security Horizon Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road, Kingston.
Under the new policy, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers will no longer be used to frisk the visiting attorneys who had objected to being searched in recent times.
COMPROMISE
A compromise has been reached in that there will no longer be body searches. Instead, Correctional Officers will conduct searches using electronic and mechanical devices.
A news release issued yesterday from Attorney-General A.J. Nicholson said that there will be "no intrusive or invasive body search." The release also said all other personal items of the attorneys will be scanned.
The policy changes were announced yesterday following a meeting between National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, representatives of the General Legal Council, the Jamaica Bar Association and the Advocates Association of Jamaica.
The parties reportedly left yesterday's meeting with the understanding that some of the search procedures were already implemented at the facilities, including the requirement that all attorneys give a verbal declaration that they are not in possession of any prohibited items.
NEW DESIGNATED AREA
The news release also said attorneys will now interface only with trained personnel attached to the Correctional Services Department. The department is to provide a new designated area for attorneys to consult with their clients.
Up to press time last night, head of the Correctional Services Department, Major Richard Reece, was locked in a meeting with members of the General Legal Council, addressing a number of other issues.
The rift between the Government and the attorneys began about two weeks ago after an alleged incident in which one of the lawyers smuggled contraband to a high-risk prisoner at the Remand Centre.
JDF soldiers were then asked to search and process all attorneys visiting the institution. This was met with resentment by the lawyers, followed by mass protest from the legal fraternity.
