NCJ Number
178668
Date Published
1998
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report examines lay visiting to police stations and recommends changes.
Abstract
Lay visiting to police stations provides a means by which people not connected with the police or the criminal justice system can inspect and report on the way in which arrested persons are dealt with by the police and the conditions in which they are held. Virtually all police authorities operate a lay visiting scheme that, on paper at least, covers all the relevant police stations in their area. This report describes wide-based public recruitment schemes; effective schemes, which established goodwill, trust and cooperation between lay visitors, the police and police authorities; reviewing scheme performance; publicity; and other issues such as the lay visiting response to deaths in custody, the role of lay observers, the use of CS spray and training. Notes, table, references