Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

Nicholson (left) and Johnson (right)

Alleged sexual abuse of inmates in the island's correctional centres will be placed before the parliamentary committee examining the Offences Against the Person Act and the Incest Punishment Act when the committee meets in the new parliamentary year.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Anthony Johnson, raised the issue on Thursday following a ministerial statement by Justice Minister A.J. Nicholson on the deliberations of the committee.

Steps to be taken

Senator Johnson asked his counterpart what steps the Government was taking to address reported incidents of sexual abuse in prisons as well as sexual abuse of persons in children's homes.

In his response, Leader of Government Business in the Senate and Justice Minister, A.J. Nicholson, argued that a culture has developed in relation to sexual offences in Jamaica.

He contended that the passing of laws could not by themselves "wipe out" a culture that had developed over many years, adding that the committee realised that there were other attendant matters that should be considered in the implementation of new legislation.

Acknowledging that there were allegations of sexual abuse in the prisons, Senator Nicholson said he had intended to ask the committee to investigate reports of these incidents.

"If we are dealing with a sexual offences bill it can't be that you are going to consider matters to deal with the Combined Disabilities Association, matters to deal with girls, matters to deal with women and boys and not consider an important institution such as our prisons," Nicholson added.

Turning to concerns about sexual predators who target youngsters in children's homes, the Justice Minister told members of the Upper House that the authorities were tackling the problem.