'We can't block roads'... DPP frustrated gov't yet to honour promise to provide more staff to clear court cases

Livern Barrett, Senior Gleaner Writer

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn this morning expressed frustration over the delays by the Ministry of Finance to honour its commitment to provide her office with additional staff.

Her frustration coincides with the continued increase in the number of cases down for trial before the Home Circuit Court and the limited staff to handle them.

Figures released by the Office of the DPP show that a total of 861 cases are down for trial during the Michaelmas Term, which began this morning.

Llewellyn says late last year the Finance Ministry gave approval for 17 posts at her office effective April 1 this year.

However, she says the Ministry has not followed through on the commitment.

According to Llewellyn, out of frustration, in July, she wrote to the deputy financial secretary who heads the establishment division of the ministry, seeking approval for six temporary posts.

"I have not even been given the courtesy of a response," Llewellyn said.

"We can't block roads and demonstrate, but I am frustrated. We need the posts," she insisted.

The 861 cases before the Home Circuit Court includes 733 that were traversed from the last court term and 128 new matters.