Stiffer penalty for recruiting kids into gangs

The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act, commonly referred to as the anti-gang bill, enjoyed smooth passage in the Senate yesterday with three amendments as lawmakers made a collective call for Jamaicans to support the Police High Command in its drive to rid the country of violent organised gangs.

five-year increase

In approving the new legislation, the Senate adjusted the original penalty for anyone who recruits a child to be part of a criminal organisation, increasing the prison sentence from a maximum of 20 to 25 years.

Leader of Government Business in the Senate, A.J. Nicholson, who made the proposal, argued that the penalty for recruiting a child should not be similar to that handed down for the recruitment of an adult into a criminal organisation.

He argued that a strong message must be sent to anyone who would encourage a child to be a part of a criminal gang.

Nicholson noted that while the legislation came down hard on persons who recruit children in the vicinity of a school, he could not allow equal punishment for recruiting a child and adult.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Tom Tavares Finson, urged his colleague legislators to name criminal gangs in the regulations.

At present, the Jamaica Constabulary Force estimates that there are about 200 criminal gangs operating in Jamaica.