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2.18 The Deputy of St. Martin of the Chief Minister regarding the Council of Europe report on how Jersey treats people in the Island who are statutorily detained
Would the Chief Minister explain to the Assembly why he welcomes the Council of Europe report on how Jersey treats people in the Island who are statutorily detained, and advise why a news release in relation to this matter was circulated to the media, but not to Members?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):
The report was welcomed as part of a commitment to the Convention for Prevention of Torture, which forms part of our commitment to international standards and values. In addition to the many positive comments, it provides expert advice on the areas that we are working towards improving. So we always welcome external assessments as a tool for improvement and for validation of current procedures. The news release was not circulated to Members due to administrative error, for which I can only apologise and comment that steps have been taken to ensure that this should not happen again.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Maybe we have heard those words before, the end ones, I mean. Could the Chief Minister inform Members what action is being taken, because it says here: "While the report said while most people had been treated well by the police, there were concerns about excessive force used by States Police officers and the mixing of children and adults at La Moye Prison." Could the Chief Minister inform Members what action is being taken?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
The first action of course was a detailed response of 21 pages that the Deputy has no doubt read in response to the comments and the constructive ideas put forward by the review group, but these matters inevitably take time to implement, and as buildings and procedures get updated, so the effects will be brought in, and the report here gives us a checklist to work against in order to see how that is progressing.
The Bailiff :
Very well. No other questions? Deputy of St. Martin.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Yes, could I just remind the Chief Minister that there have been concerns expressed about children and adults being at La Moye Prison for some years. Could the Minister give some indication as to how quickly this problem will be rectified?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
The short answer is no. It is on the list of things to be looked at, but I cannot give a timescale at this stage.
The Bailiff :
Very well then, we move to the next question, which the Deputy of St. Mary will ask the Minister for Health and Social Services. Deputy .