CHRAJ deplores conditions in Kasoa Female Police Cells

Kasoa (C/R), Dec. 24, GNA - Mr. Richard Mensah, Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Director of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has expressed grave concern about the continued use of the Female Police Cells at Kasoa, which is in a bad state. In a statement, Mr Mensah also expressed displeasure at the continue use of a "Dungeon" at Awutu-Bawjiase Police Station where suspects are kept.

The statement followed several visits to the two police stations by Mr Mensah to find out the conditions under which police kept suspects in their custody while conducting their investigations Mr Mensah said during his visits to the two police stations he saw suspects kept under what he described as "dehumanizing and unhygienic conditions, which degrade their dignity as human beings under detention".

He said that the Female Cells at the Kasoa Police Station could not pass for a toilet or bathroom, adding that the size of the room was less than six feet by three feet and only about four feet in height. Besides, the room lacked proper ventilation and was almost always crowded, Mr Mensah stated and urged the Police Administration to take immediate steps to address the poor conditions under which suspects were held.

The statement said Mr J K Wilson, a circuit court judge, who accompanied the CHRAJ District Director on one of such visits, also complained about the situation and urged the police to improve the conditions of suspects but up till now nothing had been done to rectify the situation.

Mr Mensah has therefore called on all women's organizations in the country such as the Ark Foundation, Female Caucus in Parliament, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and religious organizations to show intent in the conditions of police cells and prisons and not to concentrate only on hospitals.

He expressed the hope that regular visits to police cells, especially the female ones, by representatives of women and religious organizations would help address some of the inhuman treatments of female suspects.