Former Human resources director for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Robert Rainford, is the new permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice.

Rainford took up the job on Monday, replacing Carol Palmer, who served in the position for more than six years.

Up to late yesterday, there was no official report from the justice ministry on the change, only a confirmation that Rainford had taken up the job.

An official at the ministry told The Gleaner that Palmer was on vacation while admitting that Rainford had moved into her office in an acting capacity.

It was a similar story when The Gleaner contacted Palmer.

"I'm on leave and that is the official position," Palmer said.

As permanent secretary, Palmer has been at the forefront of the justice reform programme which started under the Peoples' National Party and which is continuing under the present Jamaica Labour Party government.

Restorative justice

She has also led the attempts to introduce restorative justice, which seeks to bring about the psychological healing of the victim, while having the the offender better understand the damage caused.

News of the change of the permanent secretary came days after The Gleaner learnt that long-serving information officer at the ministry, Michael Cohen's employment contract was not renewed when it expired recently.