The design of safe and humane police cells : a discussion of some issues relating to Aboriginal people in police custody (in: Deaths in custody Australia, 1980-1989)

his paper was prepared following the Royal Commission Research Unit and police representatives meeting held in Canberra in February 1989. The paper addresses behavioural design considerations for custodial environments in Australia, with particular focus on the situation of Aboriginal people in police custody and the prevention of deaths in custody. Specific design considerations and issues raised at this meeting are covered, along with supplementary material drawn from the behavioural design and custodial settings literatures, and from anthropological and psychological considerations of the cultural context of Australian Aboriginal People. The paper has referred to and, where possible and appropriate included, information from a number of submissions to the Royal Commission. The objective of the paper has been to identify and discuss relevant issues, and to encourage input and discussion from individuals and organisations with respect to both issues and solutions. Hopefully the paper will encourage substantive Aboriginal input and response, although equally important consultation with Aboriginal individuals and groups must take place on the ground, in face-to-face discussions with people who have first hand experience with being in a lockup. This input will hopefully be incorporated in the drafting of any subsequent discussion and recommendations papers which may be used for the determination of policy and codes. There are a number of important and practical questions that this paper addresses. Is it possible to reduce the risk of deaths in custody by a careful consideration of existing physical environmental factors, design elements, and procedures in police custody situations? What information exists on the optimal design of custodial environments? Can suicide risk in particular be reduced by design modifications and management policy changes? Are there particular needs of Aboriginal detainees which should and can be taken into account in the modification of existing facilities, or the design of new facilities catering for largely Aboriginal communities? These are some of the questions requiring realistic and practical answers. As well it is of some urgency that an acceptable and uniform set of standards and policy guidelines be formulated.