7 News Belize

Compol Says He Will Refurbish Revolting “Pisshouse”
posted (January 30, 2019)
Corporal Darrell Tutsi Usher caused a national sensation yesterday when he posted Facebook pictures of the hideous conditions at the Queen Street detention cell. Usher and his brother were locked up for 48 hours - while police investigated them for charges of wounding and aggravated assault.

The charges were thrown out of court, but the effect of those images will endure for a long, long time.

And, today, settling into his new Belize City office, Commissioner Chester Williams addressed it. He said it is at the top of his list of things to do:...

Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police
"Really and truly it looks bad and I honestly believe that to put people in that situation is tantamount to inhumane treatment. I have been aware of the matter and have since directed that a contractor be brought in to look at the situation and see what we can do to enhance it. So, my intention is to see if we can take out all the tiles. I don't think that tiles should be used in cell blocks because urine may go under the tiles and could create a stench. So, we want to remove all the tiles and redo the bathroom issue and use some kind of paint or some kind of facing that we can use on the bare cement to be able to prevent water or urine from seeping into the cement foundation. The next option will be to probably put the bathroom away from the cell block. So that when the prisoners want to use the bathroom then the prison would be escorted to the bathroom by the police. That way we can manage how the bathroom is being used and if anybody goes to damage it we will know exactly who damaged it there and then."

Reporter
"What is the situation now?"

Chester Williams
"Well, the situation now is that instructions have been given that the place be cleaned. And if you go to the...even the constitution, it tells you that it is the prisoners' responsibility to clean his or her surroundings. That area was recently repaired not too long ago. From then to now to see the state it is in, it makes me wonder. And as what someone asked or someone said, it is not the police who has it like that. And you'll find that many times when detainees are detained, they are the ones who damage those facilities."

Reporter
"For detainees who might be in custody for 24 hours or more, many of them find themselves having to sleep on the floor; notwithstanding the conditions there now. Will the renovation include benches as most cell blocks in the world would have?"

Chester Williams
"That is something to be considered to put bunkers that they would be able to sleep on rather than on the ground. Things that were acceptable back in the days are no longer acceptable. We have the United Nations minimum standard for prisons and, while we may not be able to meet the minimum standard, I think that we can work towards getting there as close as possible. And indeed, yes persons who are detained by police do not shed themselves of their humanity. They are still human beings and, as such, we, rightfully so, need to ensure the area where we keep prisoners is kept in such a way that it is tantamount to human treatment."

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize