Ascension : NEW POLICE STATION, PRISON AND COURTROOM
Submitted by The Islander (Gavin Yon) 09.09.2004 (Article Archived on 23.09.2004)

This week saw the formal handover of the keys for the new Prison Accommodation to Inspector Reg Williams of the St Helena Police Service.

This week saw the formal handover of the keys for the new Prison Accommodation to Inspector Reg Williams of the St Helena Police Service.

The Prison was the last phase of a scheme paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from Good Governance Funds (GGF) to bring the Police Station, Courtroom and Prison up to the current standards of similar facilities on the UK. This funding was approved following a report from the Chief Justice in which he was critical of the standard of the existing facilities, particularly the Prison accommodation.

The work was undertaken, by the Government’s Technical and Works Department, in three phases with the conversion of the former Administrator’s Office into the Police Station being the first phase.  The accommodation now provides separate offices for the Inspector, Sergeant and Constables, a large interview room, Immigration Clerks Office, Armoury and Storage rooms. It is also proposed to provide a ramped access for disabled people.

Following the completion of the new Police Station, their existing accommodation in the Courtroom was vacated which enabled the size of the Courtroom to be extended and a public area provided.  In addition there are now dedicated rooms for both the Prosecution and Defence Advocates, a room for the Magistrates and male and female toilet facilities.  An access ramp to provide for wheelchair access into the building was also constructed.

The final phase of the work involved converting the former Cash Office and Bank into Prison accommodation.

There are now two cells with en-suite toilets, a separate bathroom area, a day room with access to an exercise yard, and an office for the receipt of prisoners, where an emergency alarm system is situated to summon assistance in the event of an emergency.

The design of the Prison and the specialist security doors and equipment installed, was specified following consultation with the Prison Advisor from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The new facilities were recently inspected by Chief Justice Geoffrey Martin, who was transiting through Ascension on his return from St Helena. The Chief Justice was very complementary about the standard of the new facilities, which he commented were now equal or better than many in use in the UK.

It is intended to hold a formal open day for the public to view the accommodation in the near future, following receipt of some additional furnishings and equipment.

Roy Drinkwater

Acting Administrator