Public Defender Earl Witter believes holding persons accused of serious crimes in custody for 60 days could pose a logistical nightmare for the police as current facilities are reportedly overcrowded.

Yesterday, Witter told a parliamentary committee, deliberating on six crime bills, that remand facilities were filled to capacity.

Making his presentation to the committee, the public defender said the Government should guard against the incarceration of persons in conditions that were inhumane and degrading.

He said that would infringe the fundamental protection accorded by the Constitution.

Committee chairperson Dorothy Lightbourne said that, if the bills were passed, provisions would have to be made for detaining accused persons.

"The intent is, if these bills go through, that proper provision will be made for the housing of those detained," she said.

However, Witter said he would "despair" if the assurances given by the Government were not realised.