REVIEW OF CHILD JUSTICE ACT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN RESPONSE TO SELF-STYLED GANGS IN SCHOOLS

Attorney General Hon. Steadroy Benjamin has revealed a review of the Child Justice Act will be carried out in response to violent activities by self-styled gangs of secondary school students. The Attorney General says the law as it stands now curtails the level of action which can be taken by the police in response to violent crimes by the students. The police are required to turn over the accused teenagers to their parents pending intervention by other agencies. However, AG Benjamin says that arrangement was designed to cover minor infractions by children, not the violent acts which have been reported in recent days including instances of wounding and beatings.
He also warns parents of children engaging in this criminal behavior, the law will be amended to hold them accountable. He insists parents must control their children.
He was speaking with ABS News on Wednesday.