The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) will begin a series of inspections targeting Prisoners in Custody (PIC) stations across Area 3, starting February 9. The exercise will focus on the two largest lock-ups and the primary female lock-up facility in each of the divisions that comprise Area 3.
The stations to be inspected in the following divisions are: Black River, Lacovia and New Market (female) in the St. Elizabeth Division; May Pen, Chapelton and Four Paths (female) in the Clarendon Division; and, Mandeville, Christiana and Porus (female) in the Manchester Division.
Andrew Beaumont, Senior Director, Inspections and Monitoring, noted that the inclusion of female facilities in the annual PIC inspection schedule is a strategic move to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the conditions within the Area 3.
“By including those stations, we will cover 75% of all the lock-up stations in Area 3,” Mr. Beaumont stated. “This allows us to have a more balanced and rounded view of the state of these PIC stations under the Area 3 Command.”
The main objective of these inspections is to assess the various administrative practices at PIC stations with the highest prisoner population within all the divisions in the Area. This will identify any weaknesses and deficiencies that may prevail and allow the authority to propose recommendations to address the same.
The scope of these inspections will include looking at the extent to which the division has been complying with the policies and procedures of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as it relates to the maintenance of various PIC records, lock-up management, adherence to safety and security measures and resources among other areas.
Under the PCOA Act of 2005, the PCOA is responsible for the inspection of police stations, lock-ups and other agencies of the JCF. PIC inspections form part of the annual inspection schedule.