New York, NY, December 6, 2007 - Jamaica Impact Inc. (JAMPACT), the New York based NGO will analyze the Jamaican Penal System and its capacity and ability for redemption using the Jah Cure case as its back drop for discussion on Saturday, December 15th at John Jay College, 2:30 p.m.

Siccaturie Alcock, rising reggae singer known as "Jah Cure" was relatively unknown until his number one hit in 2004, "Longing For" sparked interest his case. In 1999, 19 year old Jah Cure was sentenced to a thirteen year prison term for the brutal rape of a 17 year old young woman in his hometown, Montego Bay, St. James. The case from its inception was riddled with controversy, with reports of shoddy police work, lack of DNA evidence and questions about quality of legal representation for the accused.

What is not lost on the public at large is the fact that Jah Cure gained more popularity from penning and recording some of the most uplifting songs of his career while as a convict behind bars. Emerging from prison walls to freedom this past summer, after serving eight years Jah Cure’s case has unearthed underlining focal points of fairness, rehabilitation and human rights. This debate is not confined only to Jamaica, it is a hot button issue in many international cities, and has ignited burning questions that need to be answered.

The case has raised issues about whether people should be afforded the opportunity to participate in commercial activities while incarcerated? Whether denying formerly incarcerated persons the right to earn from his/her work is a violation of his human and/or civil rights? What happens to the rights of persons who have been victims of crime? How well is the rehabilitation system performing in Jamaica? If there are barriers to reintegration into society after incarceration, what then must rehabilitation look like?

These probing questions and more will be discussed by well-informed panelists, CEO of Irie Jam Media and concert promoter Robert "Bobby" Clarke, Professor and Journalist, Baz Dreisinger and WBAI radio personality Edwin "Eddie" Ellis.

"The Jah Cure case is about more than reggae music," said Professor Dreisinger. "It's a window into critical issues pertaining to criminal justice: the role of arts-based rehabilitation in any justice system and the rightness of the Jamaican justice system, in particular."

This outcome of this discussion, like those of previous JAMPACT forums will be incorporated into a policy document and disseminated to various stakeholders in the Diaspora and at home.

For further information on JAMPACT, contact Camille T. Barrett at (212) 459-4390 or .

Robert "Bobby" Clarke is co-owner of Irie Jam Radio and Black Emperor Entertainment. For over 10 years, Irie Jam Radio and Black Emperor Entertainment have delivered Reggae music to millions of Caribbean-Americans in the United States. These powerful entertainment champions have combined forces to become Irie Jam Media Group. Since the merger, we’ve expanded our reach and began developing new media outlets in the US and abroad, All this in an effort to continue to provide Caribbean culture, news, music, and entertainment to our vast audience. Irie Jam Media Group has maintained its #1 Caribbean-American program, Irie Jam Radio, and launched a national television program, Irie TV. Black Emperor Entertainment continues to execute quality events, and together has relaunched their fast growing and powerful website as iriejammedia.com. All in an endeavor, we will fortify its platforms and continue to promote Caribbean music and culture around the world. IJM’s integrated entertainment media powerhouse will deliver your advertising message across multiple continents and break the cultural barrier that keep your brands from penetrating this coveted market of consumers.

Baz Dreisinger earned her Ph.D. in English from Columbia University, where she specialized in American literature and African-American studies. Her first book, Near Black: White to Black Passing in American Culture, will be published by the University of Massachusetts Press in the Fall of 2008. Professor Dreisinger also moonlights as a journalist and critic, writing about Caribbean culture, pop music, and race-related issues for New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Village Voice, Vibe, The Nation Salon and Blender, among other publications. Together with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Peter Spirer, she produced and wrote the documentary "Black & Blue: Legends of the Hip Ho-Hop Cop," which investigates the New York Police Department’s monitoring of the hip-hop industry.

Edwin "Eddie" Ellis is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions: a criminal justice, public policy, academic center and think tank in the School of Business at Medgar Evers College in the City University of New York. He is a Research Fellow with Dubois-Bunche Institute for Economic and Public Policy at the college, where he is an adjunct instructor, public policy analyst and educator, with over 30 years experience in the field. He has taught and lectured nationally and internationally on criminal justice and prison issues. In November, 2006, New York State’s Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer appointed Mr. Ellis to his Transition Team for Criminal Justice. Ellis is also the host/producer of "On the Count: The Prison and Criminal Justice Report." He holds a Masters Degree from New York Theological Seminary; a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Marist College.

Jamaica Impact Inc. ("JAMPACT") is a certified 501(c) 3 non-profit organization consisting of a diverse group of young Jamaican professionals, students and friends of Jamaica.

What is JAMPACT’s mission?

PROMISE, POTENTIAL, PROGRESS...
Our main objective is to make positive contributions towards the improvement of social and economic conditions in Jamaica.

Our slogan reflects our commitment to creating change in Jamaica. JAMPACT works towards achieving its mission in two distinct ways, through:

• Contribution to the policy debate on economic growth and education
• Tangible contributions to needy organizations in Jamaica

For further information on JAMPACT, contact Camille T. Barrett at (212) 459-4390 or