The Second Quarterly Report from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) examines the State’s treatment of inmates that are sixty years and over, across six Adult Correctional Institutions.
As at July 31, 2020, there were a total of 2,916 inmates housed at the seven Adult Correctional Facilities island-wide, of which only 123 were inmates aged 60 years and older.
The physical conditions, health care and records keeping are areas that were examined at each institution.
The Commission’s report highlights that the facilities have “decaying infrastructure, regular bug infestation, poor sanitary conveniences particularly the toilet…poor sleeping conditions in some areas and failing to comply with single occupancy cells.”
Additionally, the Commission recommended that more modern Correctional Centres are to be constructed with regularized inspections.
“Mattresses require removal, cleansing and new ones to be maintained and the maintenance of cells needs to be treated with greater urgency rather than allowing matters to remain unattended for such a long period of time,” the Commission says.
Health wise, the Commission says the hospital sections require refurbishment, more nurses, and wider dietary options should be explored.
As it relates to record keeping, the report states that greater compliance is needed.
The Commission adds that, “there was compliance in some areas, rather a number of areas but we found also that records in some areas was not maintained at all and they were not provided for us to be able to inspect them in the way that we wish.”
The overall review sees a mixed level of compliance with both local and international detention rules.
Also, greater state intervention is necessary within these Penal Institutions, especially now with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
INDECOM’s inspection and review comes directly after the death of 81 year old Noel Chambers in January 2020, an inmate who had been in prison for 40 years without being tried.
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