Cayman’s public service watchdog has launched an investigation into the police service’s detention centre on Fairbanks Road amid fears over safety and drug abuse.
The move came after a string of public complaints about the well-being of inmates at the holding facility, officially the Cayman Islands Detention Centre.
Ombudsman Sharon Roulstone said, “Given the seriousness of some of the incidents, including some where prisoners have been injured or consumed dangerous quantities of drugs while in police custody, we are compelled to review the issues at a broader level with the objective of improving safety for both the prisoners and police officers.”
The findings and the final report of the investigation will be presented to Parliament for its consideration.
The detention centre, operated by the police, is used to detain those arrested by the police or other agencies.
Roulstone said her office had investigated concerns from the public about the detention centre, located next to the women’s prison on Fairbanks Road in George Town, and been given preliminary information about other complaints.
But she said she considered further investigation was needed after she reviewed the details of the complaints made.
Roulstone said, “Given the number of incidents at the Cayman Islands Detention Centre in a relatively short period, along with the fact the CIDC manages individuals who can be among either the most dangerous, or the most vulnerable, in society, I believe there is significant public interest in reviewing these issues more thoroughly.”
The ombudsman’s office said separate concerns about the centre related to its “safety and administrative processes”.
The investigation was launched using powers contained in the Complaints (Maladministration) Act.
The legislation allows the ombudsman to carry out an ‘own-motion investigation’ if a written complaint is received or if there are “reasons of special importance which makes investigation by the ombudsman desirable in the public interest”.
The ombudsman’s office added that the police service was aware of the ombudsman’s concerns about the detention centre and that there had been discussions about the investigation with senior police officers, which included the service’s “input on the issues identified for investigation”.
The watchdog said Kurt Walton, the police commissioner, had said he welcomed the probe and was assisting the ombudsman.
It added, “He further stated that any recommendations and learning from the review will form part of the RCIPS continuous learning and improvement work that is undertaken across the Service.”
The ombudsman’s office said that the findings would be given to the police and that some recommendations could be made to senior ranks before the report was finished at Roulstone’s discretion.
The watchdog appealed for anyone with complaints about the Cayman Islands Detention Centreto phone 946-6283 or email [email protected].
The ombudsman said submissions would be kept confidential and that names or other identifying details would be left out of the final report.
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