Former Cabinet member and the member of parliament from St Mary Western Robert Montague recently caused an uproar when he called for the return of hanging as the country continues to be engulfed by crime and murders.

The blood letting is now at disturbing levels and there seems to be an inability to stem it.

While speaking in Parliament, Montague produced some statistics that revealed the murder rate was far lower when hanging was implemented and went so far as to say most Jamaicans are in favour of it.

MOST JAMAICANS AGREE WITH MONTAGUE

Our Today decided to uncover whether this was so and conducted a poll asking the question, ‘Do you agree with MP Robert Montague’s declaration that Jamaica should return to hanging?’

Well, it appears he was right.

A total of 61.11 per cent of respondents agreed while 27.78 per cent disagreed. Those who said they were not sure numbered 11.11 per cent.

Many of the international agencies and Jamaican For Justice are pushing back against Montague’s call for the return of hanging. They hold firmly to the view that it is inhumane, barbaric and has no place in modern society.

Montague is unrelenting, saying: “It is plain to see hanging is fit for purpose for Jamaica. It might not work elsewhere, but this 50-year study has clearly shown that hanging keeps murders low in Jamaica.

“As a matter of fact, we should build four more gallows – one in the west, one in the south coast, one in the north coast, one in the east. With five gallows, one of the gallows would be within an hour of any one of them. So, as the judge passes sentence, straight to the gallows you go and you must be hung by your neck until you are dead, dead, dead. 

“If we don’t want to hang, remove it from the books, but there is a conspiracy of vested interests that do not want to go back to hanging but are not bold enough to bring the amendment to the floor of this Parliament and remove it.”

With in excess of 1,100 murders this year, and still in the month of September, it is highly likely that the number of murders for this year will surpass 2021’s figure.

Something has to be done – urgently!