Eight new independent custody visitors have been recruited by Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to check up on custody standards at police stations.
The volunteers are specially trained and make surprise visits to custody suites to check on the welfare of detainees and the facilities themselves.
The newly appointed visitors replace those who have retired, and come from a variety of backgrounds such as business and the armed forces.
Police cells in Ystrad Mynach are visited at least once a week by the custody visitors working in pairs.
Each volunteer has to conduct at least one visit a month and are trained to prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable detainees. They can also access police stations at any time of the day or night, without prior warning, to speak to people who have been arrested and look at the condition of the facilities.
Gwent PCC Ian Johnston said: “It’s important for those detained and for police officers working in custody units to know there is someone out there looking after their rights. Most people in the community probably don’t know that independent custody visitors exist despite the crucial role that they play in raising the standards of custody and the treatment of detainees.
“I would like to personally welcome all of the new volunteers to the scheme and thank them for volunteering their services to maintain public confidence in the custody system.”
Watchdog investigates Gwent Police after detainees injured at Ystrad Mynach custody suite
Earlier this month, five investigations have been launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after several people in Gwent Police’s custody injured themselves.
The investigations involve incidents in September and November last year at Newport and Ystrad Mynach custody suites, where detainees tried to either self-harm using a ligature or to covertly take concealed drugs or medication.
Another way for left-wing dogooders to enforce their ridiculous beliefs on people that prisoners should be treated as if they are staying at Butlins. There should only be one food option (sod vegetarians or people who do not eat certain meats due to various reasons), and the home comforts minimal.
These people `APPOINTED` by Ian Johnston, (The Commissioner for the time being,until his having to stand for election once more) will turn out to be his sycophants doing his bidding in order to keep prisoner discontentment and disatisfactions under wraps.
Therefore The correspondent behind the Hyacinth Bucket comment has his approvers in this `move` thats the way it will be.