The genesis of this committee stems from the history of abuse of the rights of persons held in custody, including ill-treatment meted out to individuals such as: detainees not being taken for medical care when sick, suspects remaining in lockup beyond the proscribed time whenever they are not charged, overcrowding in cells, etc. Concerns also emerged from the horrid conditions of the lockups and the environment that police officers have to work in, which we believe affect how detainees are treated.
Against this backdrop, it was necessary for the Justices of the Peace to put together a cohort from its membership to regularly visit the lockups within the three sectors of Kingston (Eastern, Central, and Western) to ensure that the rights of the detainees are being upheld; all of which is done in conjunction with the police.
Given the dynamics of this partnership, the mandate of the committee was extended to participate in community walk- throughs, town hall meetings, and other nation building activities pitched at addressing social decay, crime and violence and its negative impacts within the three sectors.
Objectives of Lockup Visitation Committee
- To provide a cohort of Justices of the Peace to conduct regular visits to police stations within the three sectors of Kingston to give oversight of persons in police custody.
- To maintain a roster of reliable and committed Justices of the Peace to participate in lockup visitation schedules to ensure that the rights of the detainees are protected.
- Submits recommendations to the Board for approval.
- Manage the membership database in conjunction with the Office of the Custos to ensure currency.
- To provide updated information to the Board and the Office of the Custos on a quarterly basis.
- Find ways to improve conditions affecting the detainees in conjunction with the police and participate in trust enhancing activities lead by the JCF that are geared toward building stakeholder relationships between the JCF and members of the public.
- Ensure that accurate and complete lockup visits records are maintained.
- Review and recommend best practices and policies to the Board to ensure that members are adequately trained and motivated and current contexts are adopted so that members can become more effective and efficient when assisting the JCF and serving detainees.