Richard Hall, Contributor

By now, it is becoming increasingly clear, that the integrative National Planning and Implementation process or framework being proposed by the writer is unlike other policies or processes proposed because it will be organic and continuously improving.

The main problem with other studies, reports, processes, and programmes generated over the years, brilliant documents I might add, is that they were published for someone's bookshelf. In order for us to get to first world, this must be a continuous process by all Jamaicans led by highly motivated persons who are willing to dedicate the rest of their productive lives to improving it.

The crude and cruel slave and colonial history of Jamaica is well documented, but I daresay not well disseminated. Many have overlooked the cruelty masked in disciplining and law and order maintenance, by the haves over the have-nots over many decades. They are unable to trace our current high levels of viciousness to the ever increasing hatred which we have been showing for ourselves and our children over that time.

Self-hate has brought us to the point where we try to kill nearly 1,500 of our brothers and sisters every year. We can couch this statistic in all sorts of fancy modalities around organised crime and drug trafficking. The bottom line is that for the most part, we hate ourselves and we hate each other. We do love a small group around us but we think the rest of 'those' Jamaicans aren't worth anything! I propose that this issue of self hate become the subject of national debate and discussion. Our sociologists need to engage this issue as it is one of the core issues affecting our growth and development. It is the same issue that prevents entrepreneurship as we are afraid someone will label us, terrorise us, extort money from us, and kill us for whatever little we achieve.

I have a few thoughts on crime and violence, justice, and community development. Again, via the national planning process, the nation must be given an opportunity to openly discuss these issues and determine the collective way forward, ensuring that the integrative plans which include financing, tracking, measuring, and reporting on progress are developed and sustained.

Crime & Violence

There is a clear need for truth and reconciliation, as well as the need for popular opposition by everyone to criminality. This is where the leadership by example and from the front comes in. There should be intolerance for corruption, walking with the people and explaining the need to shun their sons, husbands, baby fathers who become criminals. We must ostracise drug dealers, dons, extortionists, etc. thereby making them pariahs to be scorned. There is a great need for clear economic and social alternatives in order for us to credibly denounce criminality.

Justice

Crime and violence and the need for justice reform are inextricably linked. Justice must be a major component of the short, medium and long term national planning process. Jamaica will have to revisit its fundamental thoughts and feelings about justice.

Is it still tied to social standing or our skin colour? Do we need to revamp all aspects of our Justice system i.e. the state of our courts, the speed of our courts, or our ability to stall cases ad nauseam? Justice delayed is justice denied! The Prime Minister must continue to declare her own susceptibility to conviction if found to be corrupt, and follow this up by policy of imprisonment or worse for MPs and, civil servants if found wanting. Two of Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew's Government minister's in Singapore were found to be corrupt and were imprisoned. One of the two committed suicide out of shame!

We must invest large sums into ensuring that:

"Murders, extortions, and corruption are solved via listening devices, video devices, DNA, ballistic systems, and integrated, computerised law enforcement systems.

"Energised lawyers, judges, clerks, and jurors are allowed to quickly discharge cases, and

"Better buildings/ working conditions are in place for courts, police stations, lockups, etc.

We must create an "anti - organised crime" act which seeks to identify and separate organised crime gangs from less violent community gangs. An anti- organised crime unit may have to be developed and/or enhanced a la Kingfish, which would have adequate resources to carry out first world surveillance and evidence gathering to ensure conviction and not depend on witnesses as this sort of terrorist routinely kills witnesses, their families, and friends. The society must be made aware of this anti-organised crime unit which would need from time to time to engage these professional murderers violently. The society must rest assured as to the probity of this unit and grow to support it. Corrupt members of such a unit must be given lengthy prison sentences. Once captured, members of these organised crime gangs must be brought to book and severe punishments i.e. life in prison or the death penalty, be executed.

Community Development

We must embark on a revitalised and well coordinated Values and Attitudes program. Make it an "us vs. them", Decent Jamaicans vs. Dysfunctional Jamaicans campaign. Let us declare what it means to be a "Decent Jamaican", and make that the cornerstone of the "New Jamaica" vision!

We must put decent people no matter what their party affiliation, back in control of their communities.