After reading several posts regarding the treatment they received in Police Custody I was wondering :

In the UK The police have a book they are obliged (if you ask) to provide you if you are arrested and kept in the cells.

It is called the Code of Practice which sets out the procedures for every action the police are responsible for doing when in their custody

It sets out what you have legal rights too. Which to cover some :

No person will be held if a medical condition requires set medication times, and without would cause harm and distress.

A person can appeal to the Duty Officer at regular intervals against being held due to a medical condition that is causing him harm and distress

The book covers loads more and is a powerful weapon when dealing with the cops here as when you ask for it, the cops seem to deal with you as quickly as possible.

My question is, does a similar book or procedures exist in America?

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Originally Posted by phlanx

My question is, does a similar book or procedures exist in America?

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Hello again, p:

No. But, I think it's more than a book or rules and regulations that distinguish the two nations...

In a nutshell, there was a time when both countries sent people to jail, AS PUNISHMENT... Jail, in and of itself, WAS the punishment.. If one had that attitude, one WOULD be concerned about the welfare of their inmates...

However, in this country, because of tough on crime politicians, we began to switch to the idea that people should be sent to jail TO BE PUNISHED. The jail staff, then, believes that it's their duty to do the PUNISHING.

So, if you think your mandate is to PUNISH, you're certainly not going to be worried about the welfare of the people, whom your job IS to PUNISH.

excon

Saqlvo Excon,

I understand with when a charge has been laid before, and you have been found guilty punishment follows.

But what about the idea of prior to charge, I have some posts where the police hold you while they try to find eveidence etc, and the treatment of the person should be one of inncocent till proven, but it comes across as regardless of what stage you are at the treatment is the same

Would you say that would be a fair comment?

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Originally Posted by phlanx

Would you say that would be a fair comment?

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Hello again, p:

Sure.

In my view, in terms of how inmates are treated, the jailers in this country do NOT distinguish between those who have been convicted, and those who have not.

excon

Cheers excon - understood :)

Hello again, p:

Although it's NOT criminal law, it's in the same vein. I just find the idea laughable that we're treating the detainees in Gitmo HUMANLY, in between the times we torture them. It's just kind of bizarre, doncha think?

We've got a passel of right wingers who believe exactly that.

excon

Criminal Activity is a by product of a society that has a Choice of material goods at the heart of its economy, so treating a person humanly surely is the right thing to do as he was born in country that craves what it cannot afford.

Gitmo (yeah I can't spell it either :) surely is just a picture show for the world to see, I am sure the ones that nobody knows about are not being treated so nicely.

First I would say that Gitmo shows nothing but that the world can not tell the difference between prisoners of war that are not under the constitutional rights of the US, and as for as Gitmo were treated 100 percent better than if they were held by the Iraq nation and their government at the time. Most would not be alive today if held by their own nation to even worry about standing any trial.

And there are rules, in the US those needing medical care have it provided, in fact many prisons provide dental services and more. Medication will be provided by staff. And in the US there are even prison hosptials for the seroiiuisly ill. Merely being sick or having some illness is not a excuse not to go to jail.