Work underway to construct better cells in Dhoonidhoo detention facility

Work has begun to construct more suitable cells in Dhoonidhoo detention centre, the State detention facility for people under police custody.

Sun is aware that the construction project, which was handed through a bidding process, is being carried out by a private contractor.

A police media official said today the 10 new cells will relieve the severe overcrowding faced by the facility, and that they will be more suited for detention compared to the existing cells.

The official said that the cells are not designed to be special security cells.

“These cells are being constructed following consultation with the Police Integrity Commission and the Human Rights Commission, and would be much better than the current cells. This will solve the space constraints we are facing now. We have very few cells for prisoners who need to be kept separately. These cells will solve that problem,” the official said.

The official said that the next phase of the project will see upgrading of the exiting cells in Dhoonidhoo, which were built many years ago and are still being used today.

Sun is also aware that the new cells will reflect modern detention standards and are designed to be sturdier than the old cells.