A top official in the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has revealed that they are experiencing “significant challenges” with the detention facilities at St John’s Police Station, as officials await the second phase of renovations to address longstanding infrastructure issues.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Joseph, responding to concerns about the condition of holding cells and bathrooms, confirmed that these areas were not included in the initial renovation phase of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“We would have hoped in the first renovation of the CID, in particular, that part would have been renovated as well,” ACP Joseph said during the annual police press briefing. “We’re hoping in the second installment of the renovation that that area will finally be looked upon.”
One of the aggravating issues is the limited water access for cleaning and sanitation. Joseph revealed that the force sometimes has to rely on assistance from the fire brigade or private contractors to provide the resource necessary for maintaining adequate cleaning standards.
“What we have to find ourselves doing ever so often is calling the fire brigade to bring in water for us, or we’ll have to get a private individual to come with a pump truck,” he said, noting that these additional services incur costs that must be absorbed by the government.
To manage the situation, the police have implemented several measures, including contracting weekly cleaning services and limiting detention periods. “We do try to keep the numbers low, however, and not to have a buildup of persons in that area,” ACP Joseph said.
The conditions at the holding facility have re-ignited concerns about the welfare of detainees. Joseph acknowledged these concerns and emphasized that the force is working within its constraints to maintain acceptable standards until renovations can be completed.
The discussions form part of overall renovations at the St John’s station with the police describing them as “integral to proper policing” in the capital city. It’s all a part of the holistic program that has already seen the completion of upgrades at All Saints and Bolans Police stations.
No specific timeline was provided for addressing the outstanding improvements, but they are expected to be included in the next phase of renovations.
