There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. The Constitution prohibits the use of torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and the authorities observe this prohibition in practice. However, there were occasional allegations of excessive use of force by the police, particularly during the annual Carnival celebration or other special events. The police force conducts its own internal investigation when complaints are made against members. Prison conditions are poor.
Prisoners suffer from severe overcrowding and poor food, and security is lax.
These conditions have contributed to riots in the past, although none has occurred since 1994. The prison, built in 1840, was designed to accommodate 60 inmates but houses over 100 prisoners. A prison on Nevis houses 20 inmates. The Government permits prison visits by independent human rights monitors. The Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and the Government respects this provision in practice.