We realise the subject of human rights is not always everyone’s favourite topic in the Cayman Islands.

In fact, there are times when we at the Observer on Sunday get the distinct impression that most people would rather this whole “human rights thing” just go away.

But the reality is there are serious and binding sections within the 2009 Constitution’s Bill of Rights relating to prisoner treatment and conduct of staff within prisons that come into effect about two years from now.

Regardless of whether you think the prisoners who are the subject of this week’s front page story were retaliated against or if you feel they deserved what they got, Cayman’s law enforcement agencies need to take steps to ensure they are operating within legal parameters, especially when it comes to prisons.

The more prison officers have to resort to invasive methods of dealing with prisoners, like strip searches and dorm raids, the more chance there is that something will go wrong and government will end up paying the price.

This, in our view, makes Complaints Commissioner Nicola Williams’ idea about jamming cell phone signals within the adult prisons one that is both timely and sensible.

In theory, prison officers aren’t supposed to have cell phones on their person while in the prison property anyway. Prison inmates themselves aren’t supposed to have cell phones at all.

But in practice, it appears that both things occur. The proof is in the fact that 74 cell phones were found at Northward Prison last year; whatever the prisons are doing to keep this contraband out of lock up, it’s not working.

The implementation of the search device BOSS within the prisons service is also welcomed, if it’s managed properly. Both of these options will reduce the need for pat down and strip searches within the prisons, which, to our view, is a good thing in the current operating environment.

The times have changed. Prisons must be managed professionally and within proper legal guidelines.

If they are not, Cayman Islands residents will be the ones who end up paying for it.