An eye for an eye leaves us with one eye - or none
David Batts
By David Batts
The debate on capital punishment is now raging here in Jamaica. Our Parliament is on the verge of taking a “conscience” vote. The members will therefore on this occasion not follow their respective party line but are free to do as their conscience tells them to.
I pause only to reflect upon the fact that a part of the reason for the loss of status of our Parliament is the failure of parliamentarians to generally vote according to what is best and right for their respective constituents rather than for what is dictated by their respective party. Parliamentary votes have become all too predictable.
The result of this “conscience” vote is also predictable as our parliamentarians are likely to give in to the panic stricken cry for vengeance and the understandable clamour by the man in the street to “hang them”. My bet is the Members of Parliament will not have the leadership qualities necessary to guide Jamaica in another more enlightened direction.
Capital punishment is an emotional issue. Those of us who have lost relatives and friends to criminal acts feel at first helpless and then develop an irresistible desire for revenge. This individual response when transposed to the national level in the context of spiraling and out of control crime will for many, justify maintenance of capital punishment.
Is this however the correct and most utilitarian decision for post colonial Jamaica? Let us reflect on the fact that our cultural, social and economic milieu follows on some 400 years of history. A history characterized by extreme violence and injustice meted out to the majority by a minority ruling class. Freedom and ultimate independence for the majority came only after violent struggle and economic downturn. There was no justice with freedom as apart from an inadequate Education Grant the Imperial Parliament chose to compensate the planters for loss of property but made no provision for the exslaves who had been deprived of liberty. The country therefore was comprised of those who had plenty and those (a majority) who had nothing.
With the decline in sugar’s profitability and the weakening of the British Empire consequent on the two (2) great European Civil Wars of the 20th century, Jamaica was readily granted independence. Yet again apart from the gift of a national stadium there was no thought of compensation for the years of Colonial pillage.
Nevertheless our National Anthem promised that justice and truth would be ours forever. The economy was dysfunctional as transition from a plantation style mode towards an industrialization model was attempted. However, the benefits were slow in trickling down. This fact along with the class and colour biases in the social milieu propelled those with a “progressive” agenda into power. Socialism was resisted by those inside and outside Jamaica who quite naturally felt threatened.
In the result the 1970’s saw Jamaica and Jamaicans caught up in a Cold War adventure which became extremely warm. The gun became a prominent feature of our political activity. When the dust settled in 1980, there were not much spoils for the victors. The economy was in tatters and a generation had grown up on violence and a hard core attitude to life viz. a gangster, rude boy, “burn down a church” culture. The export of political enforcers to the United States and the consequential growth of the hard drug trade between that country and Jamaica had severe consequences in the 1990’s and continues to plague our society today. Not to be forgotten is the destruction of family life as with economic hardships many mothers left their children to go abroad in search of betterment.
How could such a society emerge in this 21st century without serious dysfunction. Remember that in the 174 years since slavery’s abolition the country’s educational institutions have been allowed to decline and have not increased in sufficient quantity or quality to meet the needs of the society. Similarly, with our system of justice which continues to utilize archaic systems and infrastructure. Our security forces have continued in the tradition of the Constabulary formed after the uprising in Morant Bay to suppress the majority with violence and intimidation.
And what, you may ask does all this have to do with capital punishment? Well in my view, given that our violent society has always inflicted violence on the majority of its people, and continues to do so (see the alarming rates of extra judicial killings by our constabulary). Given that justice has been denied for most of this time to the vast majority, and in this regard it is not just the injustice of an inefficient and plodding system of civil and criminal justice, but also the injustice which sees opportunities denied because of background and place of residence. Given that the scarce benefits and spoils are largely divided along party lines and given that the combined majority of those with no party or whose party is out of power at the point in time will (until there is a change after another election) be forced “suck salt”. Given that severe punishment, flogging, “indefinite detention”, lengthy prison sentences and capital punishment (intra or extra judicial) have not stemmed the annual increase in criminal activity.
Given all these things, I suggest that our leaders should try something new. They should seek to have the Jamaican State set a new tone, one which eschews violence and injustice. The abolition of capital punishment should be the first in a series of initiatives to indicate that love not hate, peace not war and justice not injustice is what Jamaica promises its people.
A more efficient and effective police force which polices communities rather than invading them from time to time. A more efficient and effective system of justice which offers speedy justice for all. A more efficient and effective system of public education in which not only the cream of the crop receives attention but in which every child leaves with a proper education. A society offering equality of access to scarce resources. A society promising life not death to the majority of its citizens.
This then is my reason for opposing the death penalty. There are other reasons such as the fact that it is not so much the punishment which deters a criminal but rather the prospect of being caught. Statistics suggest that in Jamaica the prospect is quite small. The margin for error in our inefficient system of criminal investigation and justice is another good reason as anecdotal evidence and my own experience suggests it is far too high. Continuing the death penalty in such circumstances is certainly unwise.
I share these views with my ‘Fortis’ brothers for what they are worth and will appreciate your feedback.
David Batts Class of 1978
J$4million refurbishing work underway at North Street Campus.
Rothrick Construction Company has commenced the refurbishing of the 10th grade block and sanitary facilities at KC Street Campus.
Some four million dollars have been allocated by the Ministry of Education to fund the project which commenced in December 2008 and is expected to complete at the end of January 2009.
The work on the 10th grade block which embraces 6 claasrooms, 2 technical drawing rooms and a history room will include replacement of all glass windows with grilled aluminium louvers, all old doors with newly secured doors, refitting new ceiling tiles and box eaves, installing new electrical wiring and fittings and scrubbing and putting on a new coat of paint throughout.
Where the toilet block is concerned, the scope of work includes a complete refurbishment which will witness replacement of all toilets and face basins, re-tiling and painting.
The work is being monitored by administrative and technical officials of the Ministry of Education. KCOB and chairman of the building committee, Pat McIntosh will maintain a watching brief on behalf of the Board of Governors.
