The Legal Aid Council says, it has written to the Police High Command on behalf of four of 36 detainees, picked up in the current state of emergency in St. James, who are seeking medical attention.

A statement from the Justice Ministry this afternoon (Jan 26) provided an update adding that the council is also seeking status reports on all the individuals in detention.

Meanwhile, the Legal Aid Council is reporting that representation has been provided for minors who were in custody prior to the state of emergency.

The council says, ten minors were being held at the Barrett Town police station in Montego Bay, as of yesterday.

It says seven of the minors were taken into custody prior to the state of emergency.

Those children detained under the emergency powers have been released.

In giving an update, the council says, of the children remaining in custody, three were without legal representation and have been assigned to Montego Bay based attorney, Betty-Ann Smith-Waite.

Mrs. Smith-Waite appeared in the Western Regional Gun Court yesterday, and represented the minor charged with illegal possession of firearm.

The council adds that today, the minor charged with attempted housebreaking appeared in the Children’s Court and was represented by counsel.

It says the third child is deemed “uncontrollable” and, though not charged for a criminal offence, will be provided with representation by the attorney.

The council, in collaboration with the Cornwall Bar Association, is providing legal representation for persons detained under the state of emergency in St. James.

Meantime, the council is imploring residents of St. James who have been detained to contact the Montego Bay Legal Aid Clinic, at 42 B Union Street, St. James or tel: 952-2183, or call the Cornwall Bar Association at tel: 940-1960.

Residents of St. James may also visit the Instagram and Facebook pages of the Cornwall Bar Association for a list of the lawyers who have been rostered.