Ironically this was posted in Force Orders Friday 1st August 2014 REMINDER - MANAGEMENT OF PRISONERS IN POLICE LOCK-UPS Force Orders No. 3299, Part I, Sub. No. 1 dated 2010-08-26, is hereby republished for general information. Against the background of the limited physical capacity of our lock-ups and the likelihood of an increase in the prisoner population having regard to crime fighting initiatives being undertaken, excerpts from Force Orders No. 2340 Part I dated 1992-04-09 and Force Orders No. 2521 Part I dated 1995-09-28 relative to Lock-Up Administration Policy and Procedures and the role of Divisional Commanders, Administrative Officers and Custody Officers are republished as a reminder. It is expected that the requisite steps will be taken by the aforementioned officers to ensure the effective management of prisoners in police custody in order to reduce the overcrowding of lock-ups and ensure that detainees are properly processed. LOCK-UP ADMINISTRATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES I. Purpose and Objective A. The Force is responsible for the proper management of all police lock-ups and the safety and welfare of all prisoners in police custody. B. The police lock-up is the recognized place provided for the safe custody of persons in police custody. C. Lock-up is a place provided for the confinement of persons: 1. Awaiting trial; 2. Remanded in custody; 3. Sentenced to a short term imprisonment; 4. Detained otherwise by due process of law. D. The purpose of this order is to regulate the administration and management of police lock-ups. A. DIVISIONAL COMMANDER The Divisional Commander is accountable to the area officer for the overall management of the various police units and the delivery of police service in the division. JAMAICA CONSTABULARY FORCE ORDERS ‘We Serve’ ‘We Protect’ ‘We Reassure’ Embracing proximity policing for a safer Jamaica. 2 FORCE ORDERS (CONT’D) 31ST JULY, 2014 SERIAL NO. 3504 REMINDER - MANAGEMENT OF PRISONERS IN POLICE LOCK-UPS (CONT’D) II. Responsibilities and Duties A. The Divisional Officer is responsible for all lock-ups in his Division. D. The Divisional Officer shall ensure that the personnel who are assigned lock-up duties are trained in the operations of a lock-up with emphasis on safety and security of staff and prisoners, security of the building, in the use of physical restraining devices, etc. E. Those persons who do not work in direct contact with prisoners shall receive general lectures on the operation of the lock-ups and their role. V Cell Security A. Personnel in charge lock-ups are charged with the responsibility for the cleanliness and security of the cells, and the safety of all prisoners in custody. C. To achieve proper administrative control and to ensure the security of lock-ups, a documented security inspection of the physical facilities should be carried out at regular intervals, but at least once weekly. Such exercise will help to ensure the safety of police and prisoners and minimize opportunity for escape. D. All steel bars, locks, windows, walls, floors, ventilator covers, glass panels, access plates, protective screens, doors and other security devices shall be checked carefully for operational wear and inmate tampering. E. It shall be the responsibility of each sub-officer in charge Detention and Courts to submit in writing the results of these inspections clearly indicating all defects to their divisional officers to be channeled through the officer in charge Detention and Courts. F. Sub-Officers incharge stations with lock-ups shall channel their reports through their sub- officer in charge Detention and Courts to their divisional officer. G. It shall be the responsibility of the officer in charge Detention and Courts Division to forward a comprehensive report on all lock-ups or holding facilities islandwide to the Assistant Commissioner, Services on a monthly basis VI Cell Block Capacity A. There are instances where the police carry out police operations resulting in the arrest or detention of a number of persons which exceeds the maximum capacity of the cell blocks for the zone where such operation took place. Whenever such a situation exists the following procedure shall be followed: 1. It shall be the responsibility of the divisional officer or the officer in charge of the operation to provide adequate personnel to ensure safe custody of the persons arrested; 2. It shall be the responsibility of the sub-officer in charge lock-ups to examine the charge(s) against the person(s) arrested, with a view of granting bail to those persons who can be released on recognizance or bond with or without surety observing the points to be considered before granting bail; 3. Where the process of bail has been exhausted and there remains a problem of accommodating the remaining prisoners, the divisional officer shall arrange for their transfer to other holding facilities within the division; 4. Where there is no more available accommodation within the division, the divisional officer shall notify the area officer of the situation who will make arrangements to have these prisoners accommodated in another division within the area. (B) ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER The Administrative Officer in the division is accountable to the Divisional Commander pursuant to the duties set out in Force Orders No. 2521 Part I Sub. No. 1 dated 1995-09-28 and from which the following are highlighted:- 14. Detail personnel in the division for the holding of identification parades. 15. Supervise Lock-Ups, Courts and Process in the division. ‘We Serve’ ‘We Protect’ ‘We Reassure’ Embracing proximity policing for a safer Jamaica. 3 FORCE ORDERS (CONT’D) 31ST JULY, 2014 SERIAL NO. 3504 REMINDER - MANAGEMENT OF PRISONERS IN POLICE LOCK-UPS (CONT’D) (C) CUSTODY, DETENTION AND COURTS OFFICER (CUSTODY OFFICER) SYSTEM The Custody, Detention and Courts Officer in the division is accountable to the Divisional Administrative Officer for the reception, detention and supervision of persons taken into police custody, to ensure that such persons human rights are upheld. Main duties/responsibilities 1. To ensure that persons taken into police custody are lawfully arrested/detained by interviewing such person(s) in the presence of the arresting officer. 2. Ensure that arrested persons are released on bail when appropriate and to complete relevant forms. 3. Ensure that arrested persons are aware of their rights and take appropriate action to notify legal representative. 4. Ensure that the relevant station and custody records relating to the arrest/detention are completed and maintained. 5. Ensure that when non-Jamaican citizens are arrested/detained, the appropriate authorities are notified. 6. Ensure that when persons request that relatives or other persons be notified of their arrest/detention, appropriate action is taken to do so, unless operational reasons preclude this. 7. Ensure that detained/arrested persons are facilitated visits. 8. Ensure that arrested/detained persons receive regular meals. 9. Ensure arrested/detained persons do not escape. 10. Ensure that medical attention is given to prisoners when required. 11. Ensure that the highest possible hygiene and health conditions in cells, holding areas and surroundings are maintained. 12. Ensure that where prisoners are removed from cells or holding areas for interview, attendance at Court, etc., they are properly escorted and records made. 13. Ensure that prisoners attending Court are properly fed and clothed prior to departure. 14. Ensure that adequate arrangements are made for the transfer of prisoners to other penal or correctional institutions. 15. Ensure that juveniles are not kept in cells except in exceptional cases. 16. Ensure that prisoners records are reviewed daily and all irregularities are reported immediately to senior officers. 17. Ensure that bail bonds, warrants or other required documents accompany the prisoner to Court. 18. Ensure that Gaol Delivery is prepared for each sitting of the Circuit Court. 19. Assist Lay Visitors during their formal visits to police station. 20. Ensure that you are conversant with all the laws, rules and regulations governing the treatment, procedure and handling of prisoners. ‘We Serve’ ‘We Protect’ ‘We Reassure’ Embracing proximity policing for a safer Jamaica. 4 FORCE ORDERS (CONT’D) 31ST JULY, 2014 SERIAL NO. 3504 REMINDER - MANAGEMENT OF PRISONERS IN POLICE LOCK-UPS (CONT’D) 21. Properly hand over the Custody Officers duties and responsibilities on completion of shift. 22. Direct, supervise, monitor, develop and train police staff with respect to Custody Officer’s duties. Any other duties as may be from time to time assigned.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:34:15 +0000
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