Francois says the absence of Custody Suites for the last four years has imposed an undue strain on suspects, lawyers, and law enforcement. This move, he says, is one in the right direction.
“If the police arrest somebody, for an offence, then obviously they would need a place to house this person. For them to carry out their investigations, that’s a basic requirement. In our laws, for example, a person can be held for 72 hours without charge,” Francois explained.
Police Commissioner, Cruscita Descartes-Pelius, has said that officers of the Criminal Investigations Department have had to detain arrested persons in various police stations across the country, adding unneeded strain on police resources. Francois echoes her sentiments that the suites are crucial for the dispensation of justice.
“There has to be a holding place for this person. A custody suite is a basic human right, it is an indispensable facility. We can’t say that we are poor and we don’t have them - we must have them,” he lamented.
Another crucial point for the seasoned attorney is the suitability of the facility to house people. He lamented the condition of the former Custody Suites, saying it was in urgent need of rehabilitation.
“The place must also be suitable to house people. The way the custody suites were running before, it was a disgusting place. It was very dirty and nasty. It’s not supposed to be like that because when someone is arrested, they’re presumed innocent. People need to be housed and fed properly. That’s a basic requirement,” he explained.
Another criminal attorney, Jadia Jn. Pierre-Emmanuel also took to social media to thank the government for the reconstruction of the suites. New to the profession, Jn. Pierre-Emmanuel lamented the difficulty in seeing clients who are housed at different police stations across the island.
“Imagine having to go to Babonneau, Dennery, and Laborie all in one day to attend to your clients. This increases the cost of representation and most times this cost, or a huge part of it, must be absorbed by the lawyer,” she recalled in her own experience.
The government contended that the reckless demolition of Custody Suites without providing an immediate alternative was a matter of national security. With a contractor having been selected through a tender process, the project has begun. The new structure will be atop the rubble of the former Gaol on Upper Bridge Street, Castries.