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Commish eases restrictions on access to police lock-ups
Commish eases restrictions on access to police lock-ups
Published: Wednesday | September 8, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington has reversed an earlier decision barring investigators from Public Defender Earl Witter's office from accessing police lock-ups without prior notice.
A release issued from Witter's office last night stated that a letter received from Ellington yesterday advised that he had instructed all commanding officers to admit duly appointed inspectors on condition that no bags, cameras, cellphones or firearms were taken into the lock-ups.
Witter said Ellington's letter also acknowledged that the inspection of police lock-ups and jails was "for the mutual benefit" of the police and the public defender, and that inspectors were required to present official identification from the public defender's office.
Last week, inspectors from Witter's office were refused access to the Hunts Bay police lock-up to review jail conditions, following media reports and complaints from relatives of detained persons about overcrowding and health concerns.
Witter had claimed his inspectors were told by police officers at the lock-up that Ellington had advised that access would only be permitted once his office had been given 48 hours' notice by the public defender.
Something to hide?
Ellington had also reportedly said investigatiors from Witter's office would also have to be searched on entering lock-ups to ensure their own security, and that of the prisoners.
At the time, Witter had objected to both provisions, citing the need for such notice suggested there was something to hide, and that time would be needed to sanitise the lock-ups.
Witter said yesterday that Ellington's freshly imposed conditions were "superfluous", as the inspectors had no intentions of carrying any of the prohibited items, only notebooks and writing implements.
Witter, who noted that investigators carried proper identification at all times, pointed out that the lock-ups to which access, was denied last week would be subject to more rigorous inspection than others. This will be to allay public disquiet and dismay over the refusal to allow access, as well as address suspicions regarding the reason for refusal.
The public defender also welcomed Ellington's suggestion that inspectors be allowed to interview inmates within sight of, but out of the hearing of, police personnel.
The Gleaner was unable to get an immediate response from the Office of the Police Commissioner.
Published: Wednesday | September 8, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington has reversed an earlier decision barring investigators from Public Defender Earl Witter's office from accessing police lock-ups without prior notice.
A release issued from Witter's office last night stated that a letter received from Ellington yesterday advised that he had instructed all commanding officers to admit duly appointed inspectors on condition that no bags, cameras, cellphones or firearms were taken into the lock-ups.
Witter said Ellington's letter also acknowledged that the inspection of police lock-ups and jails was "for the mutual benefit" of the police and the public defender, and that inspectors were required to present official identification from the public defender's office.
Last week, inspectors from Witter's office were refused access to the Hunts Bay police lock-up to review jail conditions, following media reports and complaints from relatives of detained persons about overcrowding and health concerns.
Witter had claimed his inspectors were told by police officers at the lock-up that Ellington had advised that access would only be permitted once his office had been given 48 hours' notice by the public defender.
Something to hide?
Ellington had also reportedly said investigatiors from Witter's office would also have to be searched on entering lock-ups to ensure their own security, and that of the prisoners.
At the time, Witter had objected to both provisions, citing the need for such notice suggested there was something to hide, and that time would be needed to sanitise the lock-ups.
Witter said yesterday that Ellington's freshly imposed conditions were "superfluous", as the inspectors had no intentions of carrying any of the prohibited items, only notebooks and writing implements.
Witter, who noted that investigators carried proper identification at all times, pointed out that the lock-ups to which access, was denied last week would be subject to more rigorous inspection than others. This will be to allay public disquiet and dismay over the refusal to allow access, as well as address suspicions regarding the reason for refusal.
The public defender also welcomed Ellington's suggestion that inspectors be allowed to interview inmates within sight of, but out of the hearing of, police personnel.
The Gleaner was unable to get an immediate response from the Office of the Police Commissioner.
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