In November 1997, the authorities forced the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of police to retire, as a result of recommendations by a Commission of Inquiry that investigated allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and police brutality. Under new leadership, the police created an Internal Affairs Department in December 1997 to investigate public complaints against the police and to provide counseling to police. In July 1998, a consultant from the United Kingdom conducted a 3-month study to update antiquated police regulations and to establish new operational guidelines for the police. This report was submitted to the Government in 1998 but was still under review at year's end. From January to September, the authorities received 19 complaints regarding excessive use of force by the police.
Prison conditions are poor.
Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions continue to be problems in the sole prison facility. There are about 226 prisoners. The prison provides work therapy, sports programs, educational opportunities, and counseling for inmates. Twelve prisoners in the maximum security section of the prison conducted a 2-day hunger strike in July to protest what they claimed to be the poor quality of prison food. The strike ended after the prison superintendent promised to investigate and make any needed improvements in the quality of the food.