The Ministry of National Security (MNS ) last Tuesday released a study on the impact of criminal deportation on crime in Jamaica, which was tabled in Parliament.
Policy experts, statisticians and academics headed by Annmarie Barnes, Professor Barry Chevannes and Andrea McCalla comprised the research team which conducted the study.
The major findings of the study include:
Between 1990 and 2005, the number of persons deported to Jamaica more than tripled. During this period, a total of 33,268 persons were deported to Jamaica;
The United States was responsible for 60 per cent of total deportations, followed by the United Kingdom with 27 per cent and Canada with 10 per cent;
The U.K. was also responsible for the record number of persons ever deported to Jamaica from a single country in one year, with a total of 2,030 in 2004;
Seventy-one per cent of total deportation (23,728) were in connection with a criminal offence, and 29 per cent were related to illegal immigration status;
Of the 23,728 criminal offenders returned to Jamaica, persons deported for drug-related offences represent 72 per cent of criminal deportations, with an average of almost 1,000 persons deported for drug offences annually;
The second-highest reason for criminal deportation (seven per cent) related to the illegal possession or use of firearms;
During the review period, annual deportations for murder/mans-laughter more than tripled, moving from 10 in 1990 to 42 in 2005. Five hundred and thirty persons were deported on murder/manslaughter charges during the period, representing two per cent of total criminal deportations;
56 per cent of deportation persons claimed the KMA as their primary place of abode;
Although there has been a general decrease in the annual number of major crimes since 1990, the number of murders has shown a generally increasing trend over the 16-year period;
The total number of murders has more than tripled during the review period, moving from 542 murders in 1990 to 1,674 in 2005. The murder rate rose from 21.68 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 64.38 in 2005;
Drug arrests over the past 16 years have also increased significantly, and have almost doubled, moving from 3,200 in 1990, to 6,215 in 2005;
Analyses of Jamaica's official unemployment rates between 1990 and 2005 revealed a general decline in unemployment, moving from a rate of 15.7 per cent in 1990, to 11.3 per cent in 2005.
Key Recommendations
To ensure adherence to mutually acceptable procedures that will govern the deportation of
all Jamaican nationals, the Government should initiate negotiations for a standardised memorandum of understanding to be signed with Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.
Negotiations should be pursued at a regional level through existing mechanisms established by CARICOM to address regional security concerns.
Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, secure agreement with Jamaican consulates in deporting countries to provide staff and/or volunteers to assist persons, prior to their deportation, with the settlement of their affairs.
Provide resources for the establishment of a unit responsible for a deportation liaison function within the Ministry of National Security.
Jamaican authorities should receive formal notification of the decision to deport an individual at least three months prior to actual deportation.
In keeping with the provisions of the Fingerprints Act, the MNS should ensure that regulations are in place to allow for the fingerprinting of all persons deported to Jamaica.
Secure agreement with major deporting countries to ensure Jamaican nationals slated for deportation receive full compen-sation for work done while incarcerated.
Secure agreement with govern-ments of deporting countries for deportation persons to be provided with at least seven days subsistence for their return to Jamaica.
Seek support from the three major deporting countries to establish a transition centre to facilitate short-term stays for persons without shelter.
