Prime Minister Andrew Holness has defended the use of the state of emergency, saying it remains a legitimate tool in the fight against crime.
He says until there is a definitive ruling by the court on the matter, SOEs remain available.
The Government is appealing a supreme court ruling in a case brought by five men, who challenged their detention under previous SOEs. The court ruled that their detention was unlawful .
The Prime Minister says the Government has been in a political debate with the Opposition on how to increase the immediate capacity of the State to respond to the increase in crime and violence.
Mr. Holness adds that the state of emergency is being used to tackle what he describes as a national emergency.
