Justice ministry clarifies Chuck's position on cameras in courtrooms

The justice ministry yesterday moved to address reactions to comments by Delroy Chuck, who, last week, indicated that cameras in courtrooms were an option to be considered for creating more transparency in the justice system.

"The Ministry of Justice wishes to clarify that the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Delroy Chuck, at no time suggested that allowing cameras in courtrooms was his priority or that of the ministry," stated a release yesterday. "The minister merely suggested that in a bid to make the justice system more transparent, one option would be to allow cameras inside the courtrooms."

According to the ministry, the minister's suggestion was "to facilitate the public getting an understanding of the court procedures of the justice system, and by extension, the administration of justice in Jamaica."

Opposition Spokesman on Justice Senator Mark Golding was quoted in Monday's Gleaner saying he was not opposed to the suggestion by the minister, but that the introduction of cameras could not be a priority, given the many problems besetting the system. Golding, however, did not claim the justice minister had made the issue a priority.

According to the ministry, since he was sworn in on July 5, Chuck has been promoting his main priorities, which include "the clearing of the case backlog in the justice system, more efficient use of the court's time, and full access to the courts by the general public".