House Debates Tougher Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Murder

Government and opposition parliamentarians sparred over the implementation of tougher mandatory minimum penalties for murder.

The legislation was brought to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

However, the opposition continues to question the utility of legislating tougher penalties even as the underliying issues driving violent crime remain unaddressed.

Chevon Campbell tells us more.

South East St. Andrew Member of Parliament, Julian Robinson, outlined to the House several reasons to support his belief that the imposition of tougher penalties would do more harm than good.

Mr. Robinson was strongly opposed to the imposition of tougher penalties for offenders under the age of 18.

He says the government should focus on addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour rather than enact more bad legislation.

But National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang clapped back.

According to him, the types of social interventions promoted by the former PNP administration were an absolute failure.

Dr. Chang says the government has adopted a far more comprehensive and impactful strategy centered around case managers using psychosocial interventions.

The minister says that strategy coupled with tougher penalties will be far more effective than the handout system practiced by the previous PNP government.