THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE MINISTRY of Justice finds it necessary to respond to the letter entitled 'Administration of Justice in St. Elizabeth' by Velma Hylton, Q.C., which appeared in the Wednesday, September 14 issue of The Gleaner.
It is erroneous for the writer to state that there are no bathroom facilities available at the Black River courthouse.
There are, in fact, two such facilities on the premises. The main building is fitted with public bathroom facilities on the ground floor, while new facilities were installed during the rehabilitation of the annex, which was completed in early 2003 under the ongoing court improvement programme.
The Superintendent of Police at the Black River Police Station, in speaking to the ministry following the publication of Ms. Hylton's letter, acknowledged the availability of the facilities.
He also pointed out that the incident referred to in the letter, concerning a constable's refusal to escort a prisoner to the facility, was never brought to his attention.
It is to be noted that the ministry is constrained with respect to what expansion can be done to court buildings that are national heritage sites, as these are governed by special regulations. It is for that reason that no holding area with such facilities could have been erected on the Black River court building itself.
With regard to the issue of resident magistrates in St. Elizabeth, there are normally two such magistrates assigned to the parish. Mrs. Lyle-Armstrong, the senior resident magistrate, has been assisting (temporarily) in the neighbouring parish, Westmoreland, since the magistrate assigned to that parish is on maternity leave.
Mrs. Mallahoo-Forte, the other resident magistrate for St. Elizabeth, has been granted long overdue leave of absence for the months of August and September, normally the slowest months of the year in the court system. Another magistrate was assigned to the parish for that period.
It means, then, that from the month of October, the usual complement of two resident magistrates for the parish of St. Elizabeth will be restored.
I am, etc.,
CAROL PALMER
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Justice
