Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Jamaican government is considering changing the penalty for murder, with the hopes of finalizing the proposal at Monday’s Cabinet meeting.
Holness was speaking at the 25th anniversary fundraising dinner of the East Central St. James Education Fund in Montego Bay.
According to the proposed sentencing scheme, the penalty for capital murder would be death or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and the penalty for non-capital murder would be 45 years to life, with a minimum of 45 years served before parole is considered.
Holness said the disagreement over the use of constitutional tools to combat crime permits criminals to thrive.
He said using constitutional tools wisely to protect people’s rights and safeguard Jamaica’s liberal democracy is helpful in combating crime. He added that when the government uses them, it does so with the highest respect and regard for human rights.
The prime minister further said the government is modifying laws and penalties to reflect the importance that all Jamaicans place on public order, safety, and security.
