Short Title: Proposal for Establishment of a Youth Justice Programme

Long Title: Proposal for the Establishment of a Youth Justice of the Peace
Programme to Increase Youth Access to the Services of Justices of
the Peace within Communities and for the Promotion of Positive
Conflict Resolution and Community/Youth Club Involvement
Within Youth
General Objectives:
a) To train youth in Mediation and Conflict Resolution
and appoint them as Youth Justices of the Peace.
b) To install Youth Justices in communities and partner them with
two or three Justices of the Peace within their community.

Rationale: Many young people do not know and are not known by Justices of the
Peace, Ministers of Religion or Senior Police Officers in their
communities. Some are not even known by their school principals.
However, a number of documents needed for business, employment
and national IDs require recommendation from these officials. Many
youths are therefore at a disadvantage and cannot easily obtain
passports or recommendations for a job or to start a business. A
programme whereby youth who are engaged with other youth and who
demonstrate good character and can vouch for other youth to Justices
of the Peace will be beneficial to many unattached and disenfranchised
youth.

Definition: For the purposes of this proposal and the programme it seeks to
initiate, a Youth Justice (YJ, YJP) is a young person who:
a) is of age 16 - 27 years;
b) is of reputable character as evidenced by at least three (3)
character references;
c) is an active member of a youth/community-based club;
d) has received training in Conflict Resolution and Mediation, and
is paired with two or three Justices of the Peace for two years
for the execution of his/her duties;
e) is responsible by virtue of his/her appointment to:
i. recommend unattached youth to the JPs for
recommendations and other services of a JP;
ii. conduct at least one or two Conflict Resolution sessions
per month with schools, youth groups/clubs or groups

Page 1 of 8
 of parents gathered for that purpose within their
communities;
iii. report monthly to the Youth Empowerment Officer
(YEO) of the parish regarding the Conflict Resolution
sessions conducted;
iv. advise the YEO and Parish Youth Council Executive of
any issues facing youth clubs they have addressed;
v. encourage mediation between members of the
community, and arrange mediation sessions to be held
in the presence of one or two Justices of the Peace, or
Ministers of Religion, or police officers at the rank of
Corporal and above, or otherwise in the presence of two
or three respected community leaders/elders who have
taken an oath of confidentiality;
vi. maintain a contact list of, and regularly liaise with, JPs,
Ministers of Religion, and police officers of Corporal
rank and above to carry out the above duty;
vii. report monthly to the Custos via the YJP Representative
regarding the number of youth referred to JPs and the
Conflict Resolution sessions and mediations conducted;
viii. and advise youth of the services of the Youth
Innovation Centre and the Parish Youth Council.
A YJP shall hold tenure for two years.

Specific Objectives:
a) To train a cohort of at least 10-24 youth in Mediation, Conflict
Resolution, Public Speaking, and the Duties and
Responsibilities of a Justice of the Peace.
b) To sensitize selected JPs about the YJP programme and solicit
their opinions and recommendations.
c) To appoint YJPs, ideally, by the signature of the Custos, YEO,
and President and Secretary of St. Mary Parish Youth Council
and, failing this, by at least the hand of the President and
Secretary of St. Mary Parish Youth Council and the President
of the Lay Magistrates Association.
d) To partner successful YJPs with JPs and mobilize them in their
communities.
e) To monitor the YJP programme for a period of one year.

Page 2 of 8
 f) Facilitate stakeholder conference after inaugural year and also
at the end of two-year tenure to encourage reflection on the
experience and determine the way forward.

Implementation of Programme/Action Plan

Specific Implementing Duration/ Resources Attainment
Objectives Actions Ultimatum Indicators
1. Train a cohort of - Present proposal (To circulate At least 10-24
at least 10-24 to YEO, NYCJ, soft copies:) youth have
youth in Minister of internet, successful been
Mediation, Justice, Custos recipients’ trained in
Conflict Rotulorum of St. email addresses Mediation,
Resolution, Public Mary and St. Conflict
Speaking, and the Mary Lay (Hard copies:) Resolution,
Duties and Magistrates Assn. printer, pack of Public Speaking
Responsibilities of and initiate printing paper, and the Duties
a Justice of the discussions. 4 legal size and
Peace. envelopes Responsibilities
of a JP/ Justices
Phone of the Peace
credit/access to Act.
phone,
transportation
fare to visit
offices

- Via YEO, St. Presenters on

Mary PYC, and the identified
the Office of the topics
Custos/Lay
Magistrates
Association,
obtain presenters/
facilitators in
Mediation,
Conflict
Resolution,
Public Speaking,
and the Duties
and
Responsibilities
of a Justice of the
Peace/Justices of
the Peace Act.

- Set date and

venue/mode of
training.

Page 3 of 8
 - Create and post SMPYC PRO,
advertisements possible need
for youth to apply for graphic
for post of Youth artist, youth
Justice (YJ, YJP). club presidents’
contact
information,
DA
Coordinators,
SMPYC social
media pages

- Assemble SMPYC
Selection Selection
Committee to Committee
interview
shortlisted
applicants.

- Begin training. Training

(5-day online materials
workshop)

- Mobilize
trainees into field
for 3-week
orientation/
practice.

- Host a Appropriate
residential venue, training
workshop (one materials
night overnight)
or two days of
face-to-face
training to recap
and clarify.

Specific Implementing Duration/ Resources Attainment

Objectives Actions Ultimatum Indicators
2. Sensitize - After dialogue (To circulate JPs are informed
selected JPs about with Custos, Lay soft copies:) about
the YJP Magistrates Assn internet, programme,
programme and and YEO, write to recipients’
solicit their listed JPs, email addresses At least 20-26
opinions and informing them of JPs have agreed
recommendations. the initiative and (Hard copies:) to participate in
asking their input printer, pack of programme and
if they so desire printing paper,

Page 4 of 8
 to give. Send 4 legal size partner with
copy of envelopes Youth JPs.
correspondence to
MOJ.

- Follow up with Phone

phone calls to credit/access to
determine the phone
JPs’ interest in
participating and
receive their
input.

Specific Implementing Duration/ Resources Attainment

Objectives Actions Ultimatum Indicators
3. Appoint YJPs, - Plan and Access to an A minimum of
ideally by the execute passing adequate 10 youth are
signature of the out ceremony. space/facility. appointed as
Custos, YEO and Emmanuel YJPs.
President and - Invite interested Baptist
Secretary of St. JPs to attend Church? St.
Mary Parish Youth passing out Mary Parish
Council. ceremony. Church Hall?

- Send (To circulate

communication to soft copies:)
the NYCJ, North internet,
Coast Times, JIS recipients’
and the Gleaner. email addresses

- Furnish newly- (Hard copies:)

trained YJPs with printer, pack of
their appointment printing paper,
certificates. 4 legal size
envelopes
- YJPs elect a
YJP Phone
Representative credit/access to
and a Deputy to phone
speak on their
behalf.

4. Partner - Allow interested At least 10 YJPs

successful YJPs JPs to interview are partnered
with JPs and YJPs to determine with one or two
mobilize them in if they will work JPs,
their communities. with them.
YJPs have
- JPs and YJPs engaged with
have discussion

Page 5 of 8
 (and sign MOU, groups at least
if preferred). once per month,

- YEO and YJP Google YJPs have

Rep. maintains spreadsheet/ assisted with an
list of JP and YJP docs, average of at
partnership/ File folders least one
grouping. recommendation
or mediation per
6 months/7
months.

5. Monitor YJP - Examine The programme

programme for one monthly reports is monitored at
year to YEO and regular intervals
Custos monthly through
or bi-monthly. examination and
analysis of YJP
- Conduct 4- reports and
monthly/termly surveys in the
(or at least 2 field in the YJPs
semi-annual/6- area of
monthly) surveys influence.
in the field.

- Attend monthly
meetings of YJPs
(chaired by YJP
Rep).

6. Facilitate - Host (To circulate Stakeholder

stakeholder collaborative soft copies:) conferences are
conference at the meeting (St. Mary internet, held with all
end of inaugural PYC Executive recipients’ YJPs - one year
year and also at the with YJPs/ YJP email addresses after YJPs are
end of two-year Rep and Deputy appointed and
tenure to to plan event). (Hard copies:) mobilized, and
encourage printer, pack of another
reflection on the - Seek printing paper, conference and
experience and sponsorships/raise 4 legal size end of two-year
determine the way funds. envelopes term.
forward.
- Seek appropriate Phone
venue. credit/access to
phone
- Send out
correspondence.

- Host conference Appropriate

with YJPs, venue

Page 6 of 8
 Custos, President
of Lay
Magistrates
Assn., JPs, YEO,
St. Mary Parish
Youth Council
(Parish Executive
and youth club
Presidents) after
one year and also
after two years of
start of
programme and
deployment of
YJPs in order to
critique the
project.

Execution:
1. Present proposal to YEO, NYCJ, Minister of Justice, Custos Rotulorum of St. Mary
and St. Mary Lay Magistrates Assn. and initiate discussions.

2. After dialogue with Custos, Lay Magistrates Assn and YEO, write to listed JPs,
informing them of the initiative and asking their input if they so desire. Send copy of
correspondence to MOJ.

3. Via YEO, St. Mary PYC, and the Office of the Custos/Lay Magistrates Association,
obtain presenters/ facilitators in Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Public Speaking, and
the Duties and Responsibilities of a Justice of the Peace/Justices of the Peace Act.

4. Create and post advertisements for youth to apply for post of Youth Justice (YJ, YJP).

5. Assemble St. Mary PYC Selection Committee (as per NYCJ Constitution) to
interview shortlisted applicants.

6. Begin training. (5-day daily online or face-to-face workshop)

7. Mobilize trainees into field for 3-week orientation/ practice. Follow up JPs with
phone calls to determine their interest in participating.

8. Host a residential workshop (one night overnight) to recap and clarify what was
taught and learned.

9. Plan and execute passing out ceremony. Invite interested JPs to attend passing out
ceremony.

Page 7 of 8
 10. Facilitate election of a YJP Representative and Deputy to chair monthly meetings,
speak on behalf of the group and compile a report to the Custos and YEO monthly.

11. Examine copies of monthly reports to the YEO and Custos monthly or bi-monthly.

12. Host stakeholder conference at the end of one year to examine and critique project.

13. Host second stakeholder conference at the end of the two-year term, i.e. at end of the
second year to determine the benefit of the programme, whether it deserves
replication in other parishes, and how/if the programme will move forward.

Breakdown of Expenditure:
Communication and Advertisement Total: $7,200
Creation of virtual posters for social media - $0
Printing of physical posters = $200
1 poster x per high school ($200 x 9) - $1800
1 poster x per library ($200 x 9) - $1800
1 poster x per registered youth club ($200 x 18) - $3600
Total: - $7200

Daily Training Sessions (Five Days) Total: between $0 - $600,000

depending on presenters
Cost of Mediation Training
With Dispute Resolution Foundation = $25,000
(24 youth x $25,000) - $600,000
(10 youth x $25,000) - $250,000
Outsourced – volunteer professionals (potentially free) - $0

Two-Day Training Workshop Total: $ Approx. $26,000 - $50,000

Cost of venue Free; Use Youth Innovation
Centre or Emmanuel Bapt. Ch.
Refreshments - $26,000 - $50,000
Stationery Total: TBD

Page 8 of 8
So what now?
Are you 16-27 years old and
a member of a youth club?
If yes, then apply now to St.
Mary Parish Youth Council
(contact information on
next page) to be a part of a
dynamic group of young
people seeking to help
make life better for youth in
Jamaica!
In addition to the roles and
tasks highlighted before,
you’ll get to network with
other Youth Justice Part-
ners and the St. Mary Par-
ish Youth Council to create
and implement projects to
make St. Mary and Jamaica
at large, the place of choice
to live, work, raise families
and do business.
Who/What is the
St. Mar y Parish
Youth Council?
In case you are wondering, the St.
Mary Parish Youth Council
(SMPYC) is the arm of the Nation-
al Youth Council of Jamaica
(NYCJ) that is responsible for sup-
porting and developing youth Youth Justice of the Peace
Partner Programme
clubs in St. Mary and advocating
on behalf of youth (aged 13-29
yrs old). Just as the NYCJ is the
umbrella group for all youth clubs
and community-based youth or-
ganizations (CBYOs) in Jamaica,
the SMPYC is the umbrella body
for all youth clubs and CBYOs in YOUth can make a difference!
St. Mary.
Please send your applications to
The President, St. Mary Parish
Youth Council, c/o St. Mary Youth
Innovation Centre, 5 Hodgson St.,
Port Maria, St. Mary.

stmarypyc@gmail.com
President—Christine Salmon
(876) 363-1568
Vice President—Sherai Campbell
(876) 358-6254
PRO—Vaun Robinson
(876) 334-5421
 Have you or anyone
you know had prob-
lems getting recom-
mendations from a
JP or Minister of Re-
ligion or having your
documents verified?
 Have you ever need-
ed someone to help
solve a problem or
squash a quarrel or
dispute, or talk on
your behalf, but did-
n’t know w here to go
or if you could reac h
out to the police?
There are many young people
who are not able to access
persons who can verify their
documents or make recom-
mendations for them, and so
it is hard for them to get a job
or bank account or apply for
their passports.
Some youths need someone
of roughly their age group who
can relate to them and will
help mediate conflicts and
disputes so that they can
keep out of trouble.
 Do you want to help
be a part of the so-
lution?
The Youth Justice of the
Peace Partner Programme is
seeking to train and equip
young people to be Youth Jus-
tice Partners so that they can
recommend young people
whom they know to the JPs for
verification of documents and
recommendations. Youth Jus-
tice Partners will also assist
with mediation of conflicts in
their communities and hold
Conflict Resolution sessions
with youth clubs and stu-
dents in school.
How does it work?
Basically, Youth Justice Part-
ners are trained in Mediation,
Conflict Resolution and the
Duties and Responsibilities of
a Justice of the Peace. Then
they are appointed and paired
with either two or three Justic-
es of the Peace in their com-
munity, whom they will work
with.
Just as with a regular JP,
Youth Justice Partners are
expected to only recommend
the young people who they
know to their associated JP.
Youth Justices are honest and
trustworthy, and take the duty
that they are entrusted with
very seriously.
After appointment, each Youth
Justice is also expected to
keep a contact list of JPs,
Ministers of Religion and po-
lice officers to help them in
hosting mediation sessions to
solve quarrels and disputes
and find solutions to prob-
lems.
Why is this important?
Because youth engagement is
important. Because youth are the
best people to reach youth. Be-
cause youth have the ability to
create change and make deci-
sions to make Jamaica a better
place.