Question
Is there a decrease in the number of Custody suites in Northern Ireland and if so, where and why?
Omagh Custody Suite is being closed and refurbished and the PSNI station is one of the newest and modern in NI, so why has the suite to be refurbished so soon?
Answer
The Police Service currently has provision for 115 detained persons across 10 custody suites. This has been the position for some time now and appears to meet demand.
In the last four years, the number of custody suites decreased slightly. The last custody suite to close was, Enniskillen, in March 2018. The closure of this suite followed a decision not to proceed with its refurbishment, following a strategic review of custody provision which concluded that one custody suite in Omagh was sufficient to meet the demand in that area.
Omagh custody suite is the next suite scheduled for a significant piece of planned work to be carried out and, although there is no firm start date, the Police Service anticipate that this work will commence later this year. Omagh custody suite was built in 2006 and needs a complete upgrade to ensure that it meets current Health and Safety Regulations and Fire Mitigation policy. This upgrade will include the following; new fire suppression system (sprinkler system), new fire doors, total replacement of the ventilation system, upgrade of plaster work on the walls, cell bed repairs (the solid piece that the mattress sits on), cell windows replaced, new floors throughout suite, new ceilings throughout the suit and new locks on all doors
At any time, one or more of these custody suites will be closed either for scheduled quarterly maintenance, unplanned repair, or for full refurbishment. This amounts to 40 closure days per year. Given the nature and use of custody suites there are always very high levels of scrutiny around Health and Safety compliance. That necessitates regular programs of improvement and refurbishment to meet ever changing regulations. The most common works include, improved ventilation, improved water systems, fire safety systems, the removal of identified ligature points, painting, re-plastering and improving/upgrading door locking systems.
Later this year, a new custody suite will open in Waterside, Derry/Londonderry with capacity for 21 detained persons. At that time, it is intended a further review will be conducted of our existing suites against the demand/capacity position and national standards to ensure the number of suites has sufficient levels of capacity to meet demand.
Mike Nesbitt - UUP