11293 report 19 - CAIN - University of Ulster

policing in a peaceful societyclosure of the suites that will not be utilised. In addition, the number of projected detention cellsand facilities provided by the 4+12+1 plan is not based on projected prisoner data or acomprehensive analysis. A 2002 comprehensive analysis by the Ulster Marketing Surveys Limited(UMS) considered several factors in determining the number of custody suites required. Thisanalysis included usage of the current 22 facilities, total arrests, length of detention, place of arrest,offence type and other factors that would serve to predict the number of custody suites thePolice Service should effectively and efficiently operate. The UMS report concluded by stating the“8 Model appears to be the preferred option” and “offers the best balance of cell latency andabstraction time”.The need for future detention space for terrorist prisoners is illustrated in two reports releasedby the Independent Commissioner for Detained Terrorist Suspects. The reports covered a periodof 21 months (January 2004 to September 2005) and offered some noteworthy statistics. Forexample, during the 21-month period the Police Service detained 418 terrorist suspects, averagingone alleged terrorist per day. The report also noted that 210 or 50% of the terrorist suspectswere detained less than 24 hours. With less than one terrorist suspect per day, with 50% detainedless than 24 hours, as well as an improved security situation, the need for additional custody suitecapability for terrorist suspects should be re-examined.In January of 2007, the Chief Constable announced a plan to reduce the number of DCUs from 29to eight and to appoint a Chief Superintendent to command each district with additionalresponsibilities and devolved authority. The full and successful implementation of the eight districtcommand units is still another factor that would influence the number and location of custodysuites, as well as the projected number of cells required.Recommendation 63:Video Recording in PACE Custody SuitesPatten Recommendation:63. Video recording should be introduced into the PACE custody suites.Lead Responsibility: NIO/Chief ConstableRecommendation StatusFull implementation of this recommendation has not been achieved (Moderate Progress).HistoryThe NIO has provided funding to install video recording (CCTV) in ten of the 22 designatedcustody suites. The ten installations are located at:Antrim (terrorist suspects)BallymenaBangorColeraineEnniskillenGrosvenor Road (back-up for Antrim)LurganMusgrave StreetOmaghStrabane79