Police custody suites Police custody suites mostly accommodated detainees for relatively short periods lasting from a few hours and up to 48 hours,38 but this time was mostly spent alone with nothing to do in an empty cell containing a metal toilet/basin combination unit or, if a person was in a ‘high-risk cell’, only a cardboard urinal. The use of restraints in police custody is regulated under section 41 of the Crimes Act 1961. Some of the issues identified included: Insufficient kit In both units visited we were told that the policy was not to give detainees more than one blanket – in Wellington Police custody suite we were told that this was the case because they did not have enough kit, and in Manukau police suite, where there was no shortage of kit, we were told that this is to ensure that there are always enough clean blankets ready for use. Bearing in mind the problem of poor temperature control in Wellington police (discussed later), this was problematic. Also in Wellington, detainees were provided with pillows which were, as one officer commented, “plastic and not very nice, and in short supply”. No clear minimum entitlements No clear minimum requirements were set for the provision of exercise, shower, telephone calls, visits, in-cell provisions including books, and so on.39 “They have a right to speak to a lawyer, anything beyond that is at our discretion” (Officer). Another officer explained that “Over the weekend I try to give them showers, but there is no guarantee. We will provide soap and towels”. Inappropriate conditions and Wellington police custody suite Conditions in Wellington custody suite were more generally inappropriate . The entire suite was located underground, so that there were no windows anywhere. There was no yard. Cells had ligature proof furniture including sprinklers, but they were covered in graffiti and extremely institutional in feel. Ventilation and temperature control were poor. Cells were self contained with a toilet and a basin with drinking water, but otherwise they had nothing in them, and no activities were offered. The unit also had an ‘association room’ where 38 It is worth noting though that some custody suites were used as an overflow to house remanded prisoners. This was inappropriate and had meant that detainees could not access even very basic provisions such as outdoor exercise and were effectively held in conditions of strict solitary confinement. 39 The ‘People in Police Detention’ policy manual stipulates that telephone calls and visits be provided if practicable, but this is not a requirement. Showers are guaranteed after 24 hours but we were told during the site visits that this does not always happen in practice when custody suites are full. 40