(a) Issue a public condemnation of torture and ill-treatment, including excessive use of police force; (b) Ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or punishment and the Optional Protocol thereto; providing for regular preventive visits to all places of detention by an independent domestic monitoring body; a declaration should be made with respect to article 22 of the Convention; Situation during the visit (A/HRC/16/52/Add.3) Information received in the reporting period Government: The Government does not condone or subscribe to the torture, ill-treatment or abuse of its citizens. Statements and public declarations to this effect have been made at various intervals by Government officials. Government: Jamaica is reviewing the Convention against Torture with a view to taking a decision on ratification. The Jamaican Constitution, however, expressly prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading punishment or other such treatment. There is, therefore, specific constitutional redress against torture. In addition, there are provisions in the Offences against the Person Act, which criminalize offences such as assault occasioning bodily harm, wounding with intent and unlawful wounding, which comprise elements of the act of torture as defined by the Convention. There is opportunity for visits to be undertaken to places of detention. It is critical, however, that advance notice is given since the police have an obligation to ensure safety and security of visitors, members of the force, prisoners and members of the public as well as an obligation to safeguard judicial processes such identification parades. Representatives of the Office of the Public Defender, for example, can visit police lock-ups and there is a procedure in place, in keeping with the aforementioned obligations Access cannot be facilitated if the procedure is not upheld, as has occurred in the past. Non-governmental sources: The Government has indicated that it is reviewing the CAT to decide whether or not to ratify it.31 31 Human Rights Council. (11 March 2011). Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Jamaica (Addendum). A/HRC/16/14/Add.1. (p.2paragraph (b)). A/HRC/19/61/Add.3 128 Recommendation (A/HRC/16/52/Add.3) Impunity