Editor:
Re: Woman dies in White Rock jail, April 1.
I read about the unfortunate passing of a female prisoner while in custody at the White Rock RCMP cell block.
The expense, due care and diligence, let alone the liability of holding a prisoner in custody, is worthy of both reconsidering and perhaps change.
Transferring the relatively few prisoners that the White Rock detachment acquires to the Surrey RCMP detachment cell block makes good sense. It is directly beside where the prisoner would eventually appear in Surrey Provincial Court.
The Surrey Detachment operates a very large cell block, well managed and is operated by both constables, civilians and, I believe, a nurse 24/7, all not on a call-out basis.
The Google Map review indicates a 16-minute drive of 14.5 kilometers, and the booking in-time of a prisoner should be relative to that if performed at the White Rock detachment.
Holding someone in custody to await their transportation eventually by the B.C. Sheriffs Department deserves some reconsideration. Especially if the individual is arrested on a Friday or long weekend and can not be released by the officer in charge of the White Rock detachment for whatever the prevailing logical circumstance.
Currently, the White Rock RCMP have to drive to the Surrey Law Courts for the rather simple task of appearing on a disputed speeding ticket.
So why not transport and book prisoners taken into custody at the much larger and staffed Surrey RCMP facility?
Ron Eves, White Rock