The sex offender registry is a system designed to allow government authorities to keep track of activities of sex offenders including those who have completed their criminal sentences. Those on parole or probation may be subject to restrictions that do not apply to other parolees or probationers. Sometimes, these include (or have been proposed to include) restrictions on being in the presence of underage persons (under the age of majority), living in proximity to a school or day care center, owning toys or items targeted towards children, or using the Internet. Sex offender registries exist in many English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Israel and the Republic of Ireland. Sex offender registration does not exist outside of the English-speaking world, however. The United States is the only country with a registry that is publicly accessible; all other countries in the English-speaking world have sex offender registries only accessible by law enforcement.
Know the Facts
1. The Sex Offender Registry in Jamaica is headed by a Registrar and is under the daily management of the Department of Correctional Services
2. The Sex Offender Registry was established in July 2014
3. The Registry is governed by the Sexual Offences Act, 2009 and The Sexual Offences (Registration of Sex Offenders) Regulations, 2012
4. Sex Offender Registry Registration Centres are located at the parish Probation Offices
5. Offenders are kept on the register and are monitored for at least 10 years before they are eligible for termination of the registration and reporting requirements
6. The law in its present stage does mandate for victims to be informed if their convicted offenders will be residing in their communities or relocated there at later dates
7. Removal of registrants from the Sex Offender Register can only be ordered by a judge
8. Offenders should not leave Jamaica before first notifying the Registry