Police have requested ten additional cells be built in the new Magistrates' Court building to house prisoners awaiting trials.

Minister of Public Safety David Burch told The Royal Gazette Police made the request this month. He said he is now weighing up the pros and cons of the move and looking at the costs attached to determine whether or not it is feasible. "The Police made the proposal to me last week and we are considering it," Senator Burch said. "It is no secret."

Persons arrested currently, are either kept at Somerset Police Station or Southside Police Station before they are charged in court. In 2000, the original plans for the new Court Street building included 16 cells.

If Government meets the Bermuda Police Service's request, the number would rise to 26. Last week Sen. Burch said he had not made any final decision on the request.

He said the Police request was based on the need to make holding cells compliant with PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 2006) legislation. "PACE legislation requires specific criteria in terms of the custody of inmates," Sen. Burch said. "What we are looking at now, when PACE becomes fully implemented neither Somerset Police Station nor Southside Police Station with the current level of staffing will be PACE compliant.

"So we are looking at whether we have all of the cells in the same location instead of splitting up. If I make Southside PACE-compliant I will have to hire additional staff.

"We just had the request for the additional cells obviously it is more money. [The Police/court building] is already over budget.

"We are taking a flogging from people who think that we are wasting money and so I have to look very carefully at that. It is going to cost us more money anyhow, meaning we will have to hire new staff or pay to get the cells converted [in the older Police stations]."

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess has previously said the building would cost more than the total authorised figure of $78 million due to "incomplete" drawings plus redesigns to comply with PACE legislation.

Mr. Burgess placed the increase at "less than $10 million" more than the original figure.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering did not return several requests for comment.