Having worked and researched in a Jamaican Garrison Community I am thoroughly acquainted with the "Informer-fi-dead' sub-culture. The Informer- fi-dead-sub culture operates under the spiritual protection of the Bible verse "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life" and alongside the popular rhyme 'Hear no evil, see no evil, do no evil'.

The Informer-fi-dead sub-culture is very effective in garrison communities ruled by Drug Dons and criminal gangsters. Because of the poverty of Jamaican Garrisons residents depend fully on the Don and his support. In most cases he is seen as a Saviour, the Messiah. He is referred to lovingly as ' Fada', 'The Big Man' or' Boss Man'

The heavy reliance on the Don and the gangsters gives them power over the residence and in time they disconnect the Garrison community from the Jamaican State , setting up military systems,social systems and courts.

Strong interpersonal relationships are built up between these criminal elements and residents learn that to inform is treason punished mainly by death. The strength of the culture institutionalized by the Don and his criminal gangsters far supersedes an academic and disciplined culture in educational institutions. The strength of the Informer-fi-dead sub-culture serves to negatively impact discipline in garrison schools and in the country in general. If a student is seriously wounded or killed in the presence of the entire student population no student will give evidence because all claim not to have seen what happened. In the same manner if a student injures a teacher in the presence of the entire student population no student will ever see and issues constantly slips through the cracks.

There is no doubt that it is the strength and force of the Informer-fi- dead Law that keeps Jamaican Garrison Communities operational.