The island's only prison, built in the 1800's to house a maximum of 101 prisoners, was subject to severe overcrowding with over 400 inmates. The inmates asserted that the fires were part of a protest for improvements in conditions at the prison. Following the fire, about 250 inmates were transferred to a factory shell outside the capital pending repairs to the existing prison. The Government appointed a new board whose function is to hear prisoners' complaints of abuse. The Government also is considering construction of a new facility.
Prison guards are generally well-trained.
The Government permits prison visits by human rights monitors. The Government adheres to the constitutional provisions prohibiting arbitrary arrest or imprisonment and requiring a court hearing within 72 hours after detention. There were no reports of forced exile. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, and it is independent in practice. Both levels have civil and criminal authority.