In one of her more insightful lines, Tanya Stephens writes in Warn Dem, from her Rebelution album, that "if me go prison, at least me get fe eat every day".

We do not know if the judge, who sentenced Christopher Ramsey to 30 days in jail, for stealing four chicken is familiar with Stephens' music, more so the song or specific line. However, as The STAR reported on Saturday, "In handing down a sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown said: 'I'm providing you with some food for the next 30 days. Just go to prison and you won't be hungry.'"

Serious matter, indeed

No doubt, there are those who would have found the comment witty, coming after Ramsey said he took the chicken, because he was hungry, and pleaded guilty to the charges. However, we should consider that while theft cannot be justified, when a man reaches the stage where he can put forward hunger as a reason, for facing the judgement of the court, it is a serious matter indeed.

Naturally, we do not know the full details of Ramsey's situation, if he has refused to find employment or is employable, at all, in the first place. But, we strongly suspect that with inflation skyrocketing and the ripple effect of the US economic fallout threatening to rock the tiny financial boat that is Jamaica, there are many persons who genuinely do not know where the next meal is coming from.

And, it is a serious situation indeed, no matter the funny comments that can be made about it.