Cuthbert-Flynn wants sex offenders to be publicised

Calls are again being made for Jamaica's sex offenders registry to be made public.

"It is time now that we take a good look at the sex offender registry," declared Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, state minister in the Ministry of National Security.

"We must now go back and craft the legislation in such a way that we are all protected as citizens."

Currently, only certain authorities like the courts have access to the registry, leaving everyday citizens in the dark about predators living nearby.

"That must change. I as a citizen of this country as well would want to know if a serial rapist lives beside me because I have a child as well," she said. "We all should have that same right to know, just like how they have rights too. But their rights shouldn't infringe on ours."

Her comments come as the nation reels from the sexual assault and murder of two children, Price Johnson, 14, in February, and Kelsey Ferrigon, nine, last week. In Kelsey's case, the alleged perpetrator was out on bail for a similar offence. This has ignited widespread calls for reform and transparency.

However, noted attorney-at-law Bert Samuels has cautioned against rushing to make the registry public, pointing out that such a move raises serious legal and ethical issues.

"That idea is competing with the presumption of innocence, you know," Samuels said. "Meaning that when a man done serving time, he is supposed to be allowed to rehabilitate and assimilate in the society."

He warned that public disclosure could permanently stigmatise former offenders.

"What the offenders will say, 'Listen, I changed my life and they still have the stigma on me.' So it's a public interest versus rehabilitation in interest competing."

Samuels noted that making the registry public could undermine reintegration efforts. He acknowledged that sex crimes are particularly egregious and evoke strong emotions. Samuels concluded that while the seriousness of sex crimes justifies demands for a public registry, lawmakers must weigh that against the rights of rehabilitated individuals.

"Based on how horrible rape is, [there are] good reasons for asking for a registry to become public," he said.

"One of the drawbacks is that persons will say, 'I am rehabilitated and this stigma is stopping me from moving forward with my life.' Therefore, it doesn't make any sense that I come out and behave myself. It is not a deterrent any more because my life can't move on."