NCJ Number
111547
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1988) Pages: 19-43
Date Published
1988
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article presents findings from a study of the effects of the implementation of Parts IV and V of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in Great Britain.
Abstract
These sections cover the detention, questioning and treatment of arrested persons held in custody in police stations. Among the areas discussed are the time people are held in detention and their access to legal advice. Also discussed are resource implications for the police and possible effects on detection rates. As a result of this Act, formal complaints about treatment by the police in the charge room or cells has fallen dramatically. However, the overall total of complaints remained relatively unchanged. Also, conditions in charge rooms and cells had clearly improved, and prisoners seemed to be getting clean blankets and toilet articles in all stations. Signs of aggression from the police inside the station were relatively rare. It is suggested that the new procedures regulating custody may cause some problems for the police, but that this is a price worth paying, both to offset new powers acquired by the police outside the station, and to minimize the risk of abuse of coercive powers within the station. 7 tables and 19 references. (Author abstract modified)