“Disabilities among adolescents” is the chosen theme of this research, which primarily focuses

on “The Negative Effects of Discrimination on Adolescents with Disabilities in the Urban Area”.

The intended purpose is to effectively explore and analyze issues highlighting the numerous

social injustices that young people with disabilities face. As a result of how this discrimination

has been swept under the rug formerly, it is imperative that this research is undertaken to curtail

that current mindset for further societal improvement.

The research consists of several important sections namely the expository section. This consists

of data obtained from questionnaires completed by adolescents who experienced discrimination

due to their learning disability, the long-term effects and how they mentally and physically cope

with it. There is also the reflection- a poem entitled “L.D (learning disabilities)”, it depicts a

child who feels isolated and is trying desperately to find their place in a world with others who

aren’t challenged. The poem is a real-life example of the negative effects the disabled are faced

with and where it led them.

My studies include Biology and Communication Studies, just to name a few. The interest in the

focus of this research stemmed from a biological perspective of how to better understand the

psychological aspect of disabled adolescents, how they think and what are possible triggers that

negatively affect them. In addition, communication studies provided the opportunity to highlight

this, thus further aiding in stimulating said curiosity. As an aspiring clinical psychologist this will

help in gaining further clarification on how to handle those impacted by said discrimination in

Jamaica. Finally, I have experienced discrimination and hope that the findings of this research

can be used in helping others build unity in our nation.

Good morning, my name is Joel Dixon and the theme of my IA is, The Impact of Jamaica’s
Failing Justice System on its Citizens.” I chose this topic because i believe it has been a very
topical issue in our country. We can see over the past years where many unsolved criminal cases
go by, according to an article published in the Gleaner by Danae Hyman, just at the beginning of
2020 despite the government’s implementations of the states of emergency 167 murders were
committed and more than half of them have gone unsolved. And note that this was just the
beginning of 2020.
And of course, there are various effects of the failing justice system, but the three I will be
focusing on are it’s contribution to an increasing crime rate, socio economic effects and lack of
confidence in the system. I will also be highlighting two challenges that cause these issues to
persist.

The first effect is the justice systems contribution to high crime rates. What the system has
become is a monumental failure to its citizens at large. The growth in criminalization has led to
no measurable decrease in recidivism despite increasing our prison population tenfold. An article
from the gleaner written by Christopher Thomas, in 2016, The justice minister At that time,
Delroy Chuck, said that the justice system has not only failed Jamaica, but it has failed to
contribute to the reduction of crime, and the truth be known, the justice system is even
contributing to the escalation of crime in Jamaica. The justice system failing to apprehend
criminals and solve cases in a faster, efficient, and effective manner results in these same
criminals committing more crimes and running rampant in the country as if it is a free for all.
The justice system was created to keep communities safe, but the truth is many citizens of
Jamaica do not feel safe.

Secondly socio-economic effects such as a former convict being unable to get a proper Job.
Jamaica’s criminal justice system does little to help ex-convicts to move on with their lives. It is
evident that the government spends a lot of money for rehabilitation in the prisons for a better
society, but it is the same Government that refrains from employing ex-cons in the public sector.
If so much money is being spent and when the (inmates) are released they can’t utilize what they
have learned and earn something to maintain their life, then what is the purpose?” if this is the
case, then how do they really expect persons in the private sector to employ them. They won’t
even think about employing them. Hence many of these individuals only resort is crime because
many of them, their families have forgotten about them and the system that is to help them is
refusing to. Furthermore, cases that take far too long in court tends to consume the resources of
citizens who sometimes didn’t have enough to begin with. The article by Christopher Thomas
also quoted Justice minister Delroy Chuck who said that "No criminal case should stay in the
court longer than two years, and two years is a long time. There is no reason why cases should
not be tried within a few months.
Thirdly, because of the justice systems evident failure over the years, there is lack of confidence
in the system from the citizens of Jamaica. When crimes happen there are few who decide to
come forward and speak because
1. They’re in fear of their life because the criminal is left running rampant in the country
or if they are behind bars, they have an accomplice outside hence the witness doesn’t want to
compromise their life and refrains from speaking up
2. it’s as if their efforts will go to waste due to the crumbling reputation of the
system which precedes them.

The challenges that are causing this issue to persist are that the politicians are stuck playing the
blame game. politicians should refrain from this, commit to their Jobs, identity and confront the
real issues at hand that are plaguing our nation. Also, the citizens themselves must be cognizant
of the fact that we cannot solely depend on our justice system to reduce the crime rate. Yes, it’s
their duty but as the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness said at the National Day of Prayer service,
at the Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine. No amount of policing can solve the
crime and violence In Jamaica. He called on the Church to partner with the administration to
address “the disease of violence that is plaguing the hearts of our people”.

In regard to my sources, I can assure you that they are valid credible and reliable. This is so not
just because the gleaner is a reputable organization due to their credentials and recognition
nationally but also because the first article used was written in 2020 by Daenae Hyman who
worked for the gleaner for two years as an online content editor and the other article written by
Christopher Thomas in 2016. Mr. Thomas has been reporting for the gleaner for over a decade as
a Freelancer reporter. Also, an article from loop Jamaica written by Luke Douglas in 2021 who is
a Communications Specialist that works with the company. The information from all sources is
indeed valid because they were dated within the seven years’ period.

In concluding the justice system is failing its citizens. This contributes to higher crime rates,
socio economic effects and further lack of belief in the system and the challenges that cause this
issue to persist are that the politicians are stuck playing the blame game and we the citizens are
also failing to aid in the betterment of our country regarding the crime rate.

My Notes_______________________________________________________________
Three effects:
1. Contributing to high crime rates Citizens will not feel safe
2. Socio economic effects
3. Lack of belief in the system

Mention 3 effects in the intro. Cite sources in body.