1718: The Jamaican Assembly passed Act 66, which established early regulations concerning the detention and return of people who had escaped slavery and

1718: The Jamaican Assembly passed Act 66, which established early regulations concerning the detention and return of people who had escaped slavery and were found on the island. This legislation was part of a broader effort by the enslavers to formalize the recovery of those they claimed as property and discourage marronage. It detailed the responsibilities of jailers and the fees associated with the incarceration of fugitives. These laws formed the legal bedrock of a system designed to restrict the movement of the black majority. Over time, these statutes were repeatedly updated as the tactics of those who escaped became more sophisticated.