Monitoring Human Rights of Persons in Police Lockups: Potential Role of Community-Based Organizations

Abstract

Little research has been done about detention conditions in police lockups. Unlike prisons, no system is in place to monitor police lockups in the United States. Yet, research shows that most police abuse issues occur while persons are in police custody. Good practices of community-visiting mechanisms in a few countries show that community-based groups can play an important role in helping to protect the basic human rights of persons in police lockups. This article examines how community organizations can collaborate with civilian review agencies to monitor detention conditions and treatment in police custody in the American context.

Keywords:

• police lockups
• community organizations
• visiting
• detention conditions
• human rights