JG - Detention!

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Gleaner


Detention!


published: Sunday June 22, 2008


Dr Orville Taylor, Contributor


This column might have been written earlier but I was detained by the police for much longer than expected. In fact, they held me for two days without charge and had me reporting to Harman Barracks and another location twice after being released.


Read the whole article here.


Snippet(s):


"(D)espite all the rumours one hears about members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), they are more educated, competent and committed than is generally recognised.

Nevertheless, while in their company it became necessary to reflect on the freedom of movement that I enjoyed as a law-abiding citizen, but more so because I was a 'name brand' man, and how happy I was not to have been among the 107 'no name' persons carted off for three days last weekend.


The prime minister has been dragged over the coals for his alleged suggestion that the period that a suspect can be detained should be extended. Believe it or not, under Jamaican law, no person can be legally kept in captivity beyond 48 hours without charge. When that time passes, the individual may have his attorney serve a writ of habeas corpus to secure his release."

&


"What is needed is increased training, more technology to screen and capture details about suspects, and better cooperation with the public, who are also fed up and scared of the killers.

Greater commitment must come from the politicians who preside over garrisons.

By the way, a crime-free garrison does not simply mean the absence of shootings or murders.

No one can boast of low-crime communities if large numbers of 'parked' guns are present.

Remember, possession of firearms, especially rifles, is a major crime too."

Dr Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at UWI, Mona. Feedback may be sent to orville.taylor@uwimona.edu.jm or columns@gleanerjm.com.