Golden View Heights. Kitson Town PA, St Catherine.

24th June 1998

Mr K.D.Knight

Minister of National Security

Dear Mr Knight,

On Tuesday evening 23.6.98; whilst listening to the news on CVM TV, I was most distressed to hear the woes of Jurors who are expected to give a service to this country. On the news, it was reported that the jurors get $5; per day for lunch money. There were also grave concerns raised about the pittance the jurors are given for fares.

Now, Mr Knight, I am not sure if you are the correct person to write to about this matter. If you are not please could you pass this communication on to the relevant department. What I want to say, is that this country should be ashamed to ask a citizen to leave their homes to do jury service and then disrespect them by giving them $5 to purchase lunch;(what can anyone buy for $5. Would you or any member of the cabinet leave your house for $5. I think that this is disgraceful and callous conduct. It is an abuse of power over our citizens and demonstrates a contempt which is unacceptable in a society which is seeking to attract visitors to its shores. Certainly the question must be asked what kind of society exploits and oppresses its citizen in this dreadful manner.

Only recently stamps went up by over 300%; passport fees; driving licence and other fees were increased considerably; not to mention the fact that there was a report of a judge receiving an abnormally high pay rise; one which in my opinion he did not need as he was already earning far too much of the country's scarce resources. That pay rise would have been enough to ensure that the jurors were properly compensated for their service.

I believe that if this country wants citizens to respect those in authority and power, then such people must treat our citizens with respect and consideration. This means that what we would not accept for ourselves (i.e. $5 for lunch: it can't even buy a small pk of biscuits); we really should not put it onto others.

I sincerely hope that the Govt will treat this matter with some urgency thus ensuring that citizens who are expected to perform jury service are given adequate transportation fees and lunch money. Cost of living here in Jamaica is very high and our people need to be treated with more consideration.

I look forward to hearing that the matter has been attended to.

Yours sincerely,

Nzingha Assata (Mrs)

Response received

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND JUSTICE

12 OCEAN BOULEVARD.

KINGSTON MALL.
telephone: 922-0080                                                                                                                                                                              _{p o BOX 472}

KINGSTON.
No.................................

JAMAICA.

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1998 August 10

Mrs. Nzingha Assata Golden View Heights Kitson Town P.A. St. Catherine

Dear Mrs. Assata

Thanks for your letter of June 24, 1998, re the contribution to juror's expenses.

I trust that you have heard the announcement that the contribution has now been increased to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day to help to defray costs related to lunch and transportation.  You may care to know that in many countries jurors perform services voluntarily.   In the United States of America, in most states, the contribution is Five Dollars (US$5.00) daily which is 1/3 of what we will now pay.

It is unhelpful to make a comparison between juror's allowance and the salary of a full time judge who has to work far in excess of the five (5) hours daily sittings of courts. Jurors are not employees - their tour of duty is normally three (3) weeks per year and in rare instances six (6) i.e. 15 - 30 days out of 365.

Most jurors in Jamaica see it as an honour to serve, unconcerned about the allowance, but committed to ensuring that the justice system works.  We all owe them a debt of gratitude.

Yours Sincerely

K. D. Knight Minister