Pearnel Patroe Charles Jr.

The Senator attended Campion College in Kingston, Jamaica and went on to successfully complete two Bachelor's degrees with honours at the University of the West Indies, the largest and longest standing higher education provider in the English-speaking Caribbean with campuses in Jamaica (Mona and Western Campus), Trinidad and Tobago (St. Augustine) and Barbados (Cave Hill).

Senator Charles holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Biochemistry and Zoology) with honours from U.W.I., Mona and a Bachelor of Laws with honours completed at U.W.I., Cave Hill. During his tenure at U.W.I., Cave Hill, the Senator was elected as the President of the Guild of Students where he served as chief voice for students to the administration and as a member of the University Council. He was also the President of the Law Society as well as the representative for the Pure and Applied Science Faculty to the Guild of Students at the U.W.I, Mona Campus.

Minister Charles also completed the Certificate of Legal Education at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica where he was an active student and received notable awards. He subsequently attended The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. where he attained a Master of Laws and was awarded the Thomas Buergenthal Scholarship for academic performance.

Minister Charles commenced his legal career as a Judicial Clerk in The Supreme Court and The Court of Appeal in Jamaica. He went on to serve as a Senior Clerk of Court in the parish of Saint Catherine, Jamaica before elevating to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to serve as Crown Counsel. He is now the Lead Counsel and Managing Attorney at the Law Offices of Pearnel P. Charles Jr., P.A., which manages clients globally. In his early political career Minister Charles served in the Jamaica Labour Party as Deputy Spokesperson for National Security adding his valuable experience to the political agenda.

Department of Correctional Services

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) manages Jamaica's Corrections system; contributing to national security by implementing world-class rehabilitation and reintegration programmes in the institutions while maintaining safe custody of offenders. This administration is led by the Commissioner of Corrections, Ms. Ina Hunter, who works closely with the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Dianne McIntosh, and Minister Charles. Since his appointment he has sought ways to improve the rehabilitation of offenders to prepare them for life upon release.

One such way was highlighted during Correctional Services Week 2016 (October 24–29), where the Minister stated that the offenders would be trained in farming techniques before they are released. Minister Charles toured the nation's correctional facilities in early April to examine the deficiencies and initiate the fast-tracking of modernization in the facilities. Other steps have been taken to transform the prison system from a place of punishment to a place of rehabilitation from partnerships with the Department, the Ministry, private sectors and international bodies. In addition, attempts have been made to make inmates functionally literate and in possession of at least one Heart Trust/NTA certified skill before release.

In order to further boost the rehabilitation process in the Department, in March 2017 there was a handing over of a greenhouse project which saw twenty correctional officers, one agriculture instructor and ten inmates received practical teaching and training in order for a sustainable development. This is one of several measures taken by the Department to reduce re-offending which is a focus of their five pillar crime-fighting strategy.

Department of Correctional Services has joined efforts with international partners to advance the capabilities of the juveniles in their care. “A New Path: Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders in Jamaica” is a project implemented by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), through its Department of Public Security (DPS), working with its affiliate, The Trust for the Americas (“The Trust”), with the support of the United States Agency for International Development. The "New Path" project is in its second phase and has so far impacted 950 youth and provided educational and vocational training to 385 boys and girls. The "New Path" project is partnering with the DCS to reduce recidivism, and, ultimately, crime and violence in Jamaica by improving the quality of, and access to rehabilitation services etc for juvenile remandees at South Camp and Metcalfe Street Correctional facilities.

Jamaica Combined Cadet Force

Minister Charles with the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force

The Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) is a youth entity under the Ministry of National Security and also the responsibility of Minister Charles. Recently, the Minister highlighted the importance of the expansion of the Cadet force as this is a part of the crime fighting strategy through social development.

Minister Charles in his effort to advance the quality and quantity of resources in the Cadet force recently met with Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaican ambassador to the United States of America, to seek assistance in bolstering the capabilities of the JCCF. They met to discuss attractive avenues for recruiting youngsters to the force as well as how to actively engage the youth in crime fighting strategies.