- WINSTON SILL /FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the graduating class of the Ministry of Justice's, Justice Training Institute for the financial crimes investigation course and certificate in legal adminstration, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Ruthven Road in April this year.THE JUSTICE Training Institute (JTI) is posi-tioning itself to become the premier training institution for professionals involved in the administration of justice throughout the Caribbean.
Director/Principal of the JTI, Audrey Sewell, notes that the Institute is actively seeking to recruit students from the wider Caribbean region. "Last year, we had eight students from countries in the Caribbean enrolled in our programmes. Presently, we have an invitation to visit a Caribbean island to provide training for a batch of bailiffs," she said.
The Justice Training Institute was established in July 1997 as an agency of the Ministry of Justice, to design, develop, organise, coordinate and conduct training programmes for personnel employed in the various agencies that serve the justice system. In the initial stages, the JTI offered a one-month course in justice administration and a certificate in legal administration.
Over the years, the organisation has widened its offerings in response to the changing needs of the justice system. Currently, it offers training in a number of areas including a certificate in legal administration for persons who work or have interest in legal administration in law offices, legal departments and legal entities of the public and private sectors; certificate in criminal justice studies for persons who work or are involved in the administration of the criminal justice process, or who have an interest in understanding the essentials of the criminal justice process and the factors which impact upon that process; training in Jamaican sign language, one of its thrusts in ensuring access to justice for people who are hearing impaired; and a diploma in court reporting.
INCREASED ENROLLMENT
Last year, the institute trained a total of 852 persons which represents a 21 per cent increase in enrollment over the previous year. Most of the participants came from the public sector.
The principal/director asserts that the various training programmes have been having a positive impact on the justice system and the feedback has been good. "Based on the demand, since 2005, we have established two other training sites in Montego Bay and another at the ODPEM in Kingston," she said. Mrs. Sewell added that flexibility is one of the institute's core values and, as such, the JTI also goes into offices and agencies to conduct training. The JTI is currently designing a course in courtroom management for persons desirous of becoming resident magistrates.
Barbara McKenzie, who is enrolled in the court reporting Course, looks forward to the completion of the two-year long programme and receiving her diploma in July. "I work at the St. Ann Parish Council that adjoins the St. Ann's Bay Courthouse and would often see persons going into the court with these little machines and I was very fascinated by them," she says, making reference to the shorthand machine. Ms. McKenzie notes that she has found has the course challenging but has also learnt a lot.
Her colleague, Annmarie Thompson, who works at the Office of the Services Commissions, agrees that the course has been challenging but stresses that she believes the training will equip them adequately for the courtroom.
"Accuracy is extremely important and the frequent tests that we undergo ensure that we record accurately as it certainly will make a difference between freedom and imprisonment. For example, if the accused says he did not kill the person and I exclude the not, that has dire consequences," she emphasises.
The institute also has responsibility for the training
of justices of the peace. Additionally, it may undertake, participate in, or commission research into areas relevant to the administration of justice, and publish those research findings.
