Noel Chambers ‘victimised several times’ – judges

CHIEF JUSTICE Bryan Sykes has established a Mental Health Task Force to review law, policies, and procedures relating to persons in custody with mental illness. The task force’s report is expected within the next 120 days.

The Jamaican judiciary has accepted that systemic challenges within the court system could have contributed to the tragic death of Noel Chambers, who died in prison five months ago after 40 years without a trial.

“It is clear that many institutions, including the courts, failed in their duty to safeguard the right of Mr Chambers to life, liberty, and a fair trial within a reasonable time before a properly constituted and impartial court,” read the statement by the judiciary.

“Mr Chambers was victimised several times.”

The judges said that an incident of that nature should not be repeated.

“The failure to have him before the courts at regular intervals resulted in him being overlooked which ended in his death,” the judiciary underscored.

Section 25D of the Criminal Justice (Administration) Act makes provision for a monthly report to be tabled with the court on persons adjudged not fit to plead and are remanded. A register is also to be kept by the court. Neither procedure happened in Chambers’ case.

The judiciary insisted that there need to be a change of culture.

“This case highlights the need for an adequate records and information management system within the courts,” the judges said.

“This is a priority area for the judiciary and was included in the strategic plan as an area in need of improvement if we are to become one of the best judiciaries in the world.”