Police oversight body flags state of Area 4 lock-ups
Published:Wednesday | October 1, 2025 | 12:08 AM
The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) has highlighted overcrowding problems and a deplorable state of affairs at five of the largest lock-ups in the Area Four policing region.
A recent special inspection by the PCOA of the five lock-ups revealed that most of the stations were operating above their gazetted cell capacity.
The results of the review, which were published in PCOA’s quarterly newsletter, also indicate that deficiencies were found relating to infrastructural decay, safety, and health issues.
The largest lock-ups in each of the five divisions that comprise Area Four were audited. The stations were Central (Kingston Central Division); Port Royal (Kingston Eastern Division); Denham Town (Kingston Western Division); Half-Way Tree (St Andrew Central Division); and Duhaney Park (St Andrew South Division).
Duhaney Park, the second largest lock-up in the division, was inspected because the largest station, Hunts Bay, had a tuberculosis outbreak.
The police oversight body said overcrowding was evident at the stations inspected, and had an impact on the consistency of both physical checks and cell searches. In some cases, searches exceeded the required frequency.
According to the PCOA, in one instance, overcrowding hindered a proper assessment of a lock-up as it was deemed inaccessible.
CELL CONDITION
As for the cell condition in the other four stations inspected, the showers and toilet facilities were found to be in poor, and, in some cases, deplorable conditions.
The PCOA reported that one station had stagnant water surrounding the lock-up, posing serious health risks. Damage to ceilings and walls was noted in most facilities.
Highlighting health and safety concerns, the PCOA said there were pest infestations at two of the stations inspected.
At the same time, restraining devices such as handcuffs and batons were found to be insufficient in the majority of stations inspected.
The PCOA also found that some fire extinguishers were not in working condition and others required servicing.
On a positive note, the majority of stations were compliant in maintaining prisoners in custody records, which included the PIC register, PIC cards, charge and prisoners’ property books, and the medical journal.