Jamaican Police.Com

Investigators from Public Defender Earl Witter’s office are now allowed to access police lock-ups without prior notice. A release that was issued from Witter’s office last night indicated that a letter was received from Police Commissioner Owen Ellington earlier yesterday, and that the letter outlined that he (Ellington) 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 release also that said that Ellington’s letter had 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.

Just last week, inspectors from Witter’s office were reportedly 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 at the jail. Inspectors from Witter’s officer were reportedly told by police officers at the Hunts Bay lock-up that Commissioner Ellington had advised that access would only be permitted once his office had been given 48 hours’ notice by the public defender.

Tags : Earl Witter, Owen Ellington, Police Jail, Police Lock-Ups, Public Defender's Office