There is more concern today that the police have started to detain persons without charge for more than the 48 hours prescribed by law.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding put the issue on the table on Tuesday and later promised that it would be the subject of discussion at several levels before any decision was made.
But the group which represents defence attorneys, The Jamaican Bar Association, says the illegal practice is already being implemented by the police.
According to the bar association, over the years its members have repeatedly found cases where the police detained persons for weeks and even months without charge.
The association argued that there was no indication that this practice has led to any reduction in the country's crime figures.
The bar association said it was strongly opposed to any change which would allow the detention of persons for extended periods without charge.
"We affirm our commitment to the fundamental legal and constitutional principle that persons should only be deprived of their freedom on the basis of cogent evidence leading to reasonable suspicion that they have committed a crime," the association said.
Hundreds alienated
The bar association said experience has shown that the lengthy detention of persons has served to alienate hundreds of young people and their families from the legal system and endangers police relationships with inner-city communities.
Several other organisations and groups have already voiced their opposition to any plan to allow the police to detain persons without charge for an extended period.
Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn was yesterday asked to comment on the proposed plans to extend the period of detention.
The question was asked by Mark Golding, member of a joint select committee of parliament, which is examining a number of annual reports, including that of the Office of the DPP.
But using cricket terminology, the DPP described the question as a no ball she would not pursue outside the off stump.
"My duty is to prosecute in the highest traditions of the bar, so we prosecute fearlessly, but fairly, and we make sure that the constitutional rights are secured and upheld," she said.
Clarification
The Gleaner of June 20, under the headline ‘More concern over extended detentions’, described the Jamaican Bar Association as the group which represents defence attorneys. It should be noted that the Jamaican Bar Association represents all attorneys. We regret any misunderstanding.
