The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been gifted with two newly constructed, state of the art witness rooms.
These rooms which were completed on Thursday August 4, is one of several activities funded under the Memorandum of Understanding between the MOJ and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) of the British High Commission. Under the agreement, the FCDO’s Serious Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Programme and the Ministry will treat with reforms at both the Parish Courts and the ODPP.
Additionally, current renovations at the ODPP form part of the Justice Ministry’s efforts toward the modernization of the Justice System which started in 2007 under the Jamaica Justice System Reform Project (JJSR).
The JJSR Project was established by the Government of Jamaica to undertake a comprehensive review of the justice system and to develop strategies and mechanisms to facilitate its modernization.
While conducting a tour of the witness rooms, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn outlined the requirements of integrity that the new rooms now offer to the ODPP in meeting the requirements of integrity within the justice system.
“Along with the Ministry of Justice, if we can offer places outside of the courtroom, that would satisfy the requirements of the Court to be sterile, that is to have sterile environments, it will enhance the administration of justice,” she said.
The DPP also acknowledged the growing importance of technology, referencing the hybrid operating system currently activated in the Courts, as a result of the pandemic.
The witness rooms are expected to be in operation by September 2022 and will be equipped with video conferencing technology, a document camera along with acoustic panels installed on the walls to limit audio escaping to ensure confidentiality.
