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Surveillance of police cells
The Commission notes recent moves by Police Services to install TV monitoring devices in police cells. The Commission recommends that:
a) The emphasis in any consideration of proper systems for surveillance of those in custody should be on human interaction rather than on high technology. The psychological impact of the use of such equipment on a detainee must be borne in mind, as should its impact on that person's privacy. It is preferable that police cells be designed to maximise direct visual surveillance. Where such equipment has been installed it should be used only as a monitoring aid and not as a substitute for human interaction between the detainee and his/her custodians; and
b) Police instructions specifically direct that, even where electronic monitoring cameras are installed in police cells, personal cell checks be maintained.
Priority for Further Work:
High
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Background
When discussing electronic surveillance equipment, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) emphasised that ‘such equipment should only be used as a monitoring aid and never as a substitute for human interaction between custodial staff and prisoners’ and that,
The emphasis in any consideration of proper systems for surveillance must be on human interaction rather than on…technology’ further stressing that ‘it is essential that where such equipment is installed, police orders and instructions should require regular personal cells checks to be maintained and stress the importance of human interaction.
The National Report includes a brief discussion of the pros and cons of using electronic surveillance equipment, and recognised concerns around privacy, cost and the risk in person contact may be reduced or complacency encouraged. In demonstrating potential benefits, an example was provided where closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring had facilitated early intervention in self-harm incidents.