A coroner's inquest in August ruled that no one was responsible for the death. In an August 1997 case, police officers dragged a man through the streets hanging from their jeep. The police initially failed to provide a reason for taking the man into custody and never indicated that the man was being placed under arrest. However, subsequent to the incident, they charged him with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. The case was still pending in court at year's end.
Prison conditions are poor.
Antiquated and overcrowded prisons, with over 400 inmates in a prison designed for 75, result in serious health and safety problems. Recent renovations have improved conditions somewhat. These conditions are particularly harsh for juvenile offenders. There is a small facility for delinquent boys, but it is seriously inadequate and generally is used for those already convicted through the criminal system. Although separate legal statutes exist for youthful offenders, there are no separate magistrates or prosecutors to handle such cases.