KINGSTON, Jamaica — Human rights groups are encouraging the Government of Jamaica (GoJ) to adopt an approach similar to that of neighbouring Antigua and Barbuda as it relates to relocating mentally unstable prisoners to dedicated facilities.

According to Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) and Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), penal institutions are often used as a holding place for mentally ill individuals, who are in need of specialised care.

Pointing to a promising pilot project at the Portland Rehabilitation Management Centre, the human rights groups say that such programmes, which are tailored to the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of mentally ill individuals into society when feasible, are better options than incarceration.

The groups are advocating for the GoJ to take the approach of health care instead of detention, noting that prioritising mental health care will ensure that human rights are respected, and may even offer additional benefits such as guarding against overcrowding.

Additionally, the groups say developing diversion programmes to redirect mentally ill individuals away from the justice system and integrating them into supportive community settings could help ensure that the well publicised cases of Noel Chambers, who spent over 40 years in detention without trial and died in deplorable conditions, and George Williams, who spent 50 years in prison without a trial and was offered a mere $6 million in compensation, are never repeated.