THE MONTHLY GLEANER | MARCH 14 - APRIL 13, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 6 NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED DCP Dr Kevin Blake A LEGAL challenge is looming for the release of some 300 mentally ill detainees languishing in prison, some for decades, awaiting trial for various crimes. A group of attorneys representing human rights advocates Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) have filed an application asking the Supreme Court to allow them to bring a class action-type lawsuit against the State over the treatment of mentally ill persons in conflict with the law. The class action-type lawsuit, if it gets the go-ahead, would seek court orders for the release and “proper treatment” of all mentally ill detainees as well as other remedies for alleged constitutional breaches, the attorneys explained to The Sunday Gleaner last week. Prison officials estimated in 2020 that approximately 300 mentally-challenged persons in conflict with the law were being housed at three penal institutions, with close to half of them listed as “awaiting trial”. UNITED STATES (US)-based Century Aluminum plans to invest up to US$15 million (J$2.3 billion) in the alumina operations at Jamalco in Clarendon this year, which doubles its investment a year earlier. The investments include new equipment, but also funds to maintain operations. “The US$10 to US$15 million reflects the restoration projects and the powerhouse,”said Jesse Gary, president and CEO of Century in an investor call on Wednesday following the release of the manufacturer’s earnings report. “So, there is a mix of investments in sustaining capital expenditure as well.” The company invested US$7 million in capital expenditure in Jamalco in 2023, and will continue investing in building Jamalco’s asset base until 2026, according to ma Jamalco to get US$15 million in 2024 Jailed illegally ESTELLA WHEELER, a 64-year-old Jamaica-born schoolteacher was allegedly killed by her husband in Vaughan in Ontario, Canada last Wednesday. Wheeler was a grades seven and eight teacher at the Africentric Alternative School in North York, Toronto. Her husband, Trevor Wheeler, 68, has since been charged with second-degree murder, according to Canadian media reports. York Regional police reports are that, on Wednesday, March 6 at approximately 12:30 a.m., police responded to an address on Isa Court, in the area of Highway 27 and Langstaff Road. When officers arrived on the scene, they located a woman with serious injuries. Despite life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced dead on the scene. Estella is originally from Clarendon in Jamaica, where she attended Clarendon College. The couple migrated from Jamaica and has lived in the community for about 15 years, neighbours told reporters. THE JAMAICAN Consulate in Manhattan, New York, was scheduled to reopen to the general public on Monday, March 11 at its new location – 300 East 42nd Street at Second Avenue. The consulate’s offices have been closed to the public since February 22. Jamaicans and others will be able to access all passport, visa and other consular services at the new location which offers much more space not only for the public, but for staff as well. A recent tour of the new facilities showed several enhanced features at the new location, including bigger space for visitors wanting passport and visa services; more windows for officers to attend to the public; bigger conference room space, as well as a drop down-jumbo television to provide information to the public. Patrons visiting the consulate’s facilities will be greeted with up-to-theminute information on a television on the process for accessing services. There are We Work stations, as well as private conference rooms for interviews with visiting government officials. Another improvement is the installation of high-speed Internet service, as well as new computer terminals to better access information. Ja-born teacher killed in Canada; husband charged with murder Jamaican Consulate in Manhattan reopens to public at new location DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Dr Kevin Blake will be the new commissioner of police of Jamaica. National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang confirmed the development at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. Chang said that Blake will assume his new position on March 19, succeeding Major General Anthony Anderson, whose tenure ends on March 18. “We have no problem accepting Dr Kevin Blake as the next commissioner of police,” Chang said following the recommendation made by the Police Service Commission to the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. Blake was among four deputy commissioners interviewed for the position last week. The others included the soon to retire Fitz Bailey, who heads crime and security, Clifford Blake, who leads strategic operations and Richard Stewart, who is in charge of administration and support services. Dr Kevin Blake to become new commissioner of police Human rights groups pursuing suit against State for unlawful incarceration of some 300 inmates deemed unfit for trial
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