The Ministry of National Security is working to reduce from 40 per cent to 10 per cent, Jamaica’s rate of recidivism; the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

To this end, the National Offender Management Policy is part of the list of policy enhancements to be enacted by the end of 2021 which, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Courtney Williams, will play a significant role in reducing Jamaica’s rate of recidivism.   

“The policy will help us to build a stronger culture within the correctional system, a culture of rehabilitation. It is only through an effective rehabilitation culture that we will achieve 40 to 10,” Williams said. He was speaking Wednesday during an orientation session for the Board of Visitors (BOV) at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

The BOV, which comprises civilians, was established to monitor the operations of adult and juvenile correctional and remand centres within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), while the Parole Board serves to enhance the rehabilitation and reintegration of criminal offenders into society.  

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