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What measures have been instituted to prevent suicides in police lockups?

Dear Editor,

Once again the ranks have found themselves in a mire due to the recent death in the Blairmont Police Station lockups of Chandatt Yodha, a 49year-old West Berbice fisherman. The deceased had been arrested earlier that day, and detained on a charge of alleged mistreatment of his wife and unruly behaviour. According to the police report, the victim was alone in his cell and his underwear was used to bring about the untimely demise. Premature deaths of individuals in police custody are without doubt tragic occurrences. From a moral stance, it is utterly heartbreaking to the family of the victim(s), and concomitantly heightens suspicion as to the conduct of police, operating in an already existing climate of public mistrust.

To partially quote former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” The holding cell at any police station is only a temporary facility, but is nevertheless a link in the justice process and an integral part of the custodial chain. Once placed in custody, the picture changes dramatically, for the inmate/individual has a constitutional right to be protected from harm which also includes protection from harming one’s self. A more unsettling note is the fact that the death did not occur in isolation, but, as per the media, is the latest in a series of suicides at police stations and lockups. This problem has plagued the police force since 1980. http://www.guyanaundersiege.com/T opical%20Affairs/Police%20Killing s.htm