Recent Developments in the Fiji Prisons Service

The Fiji Prisons Service maintains 14 prison institutions, mainly located in the administrative centres around the country. The present structures in the 14 institutions have become archaic since most were constructed in the 1960s. Not only have they lost structural composure, they also lack the facilities that are necessary for modern prisoner management techniques. Put another way, there are virtually no built-in recreational and rehabilitation components in the present structures, for their conformation to the real spirit of rehabilitation per se. Indeed, because of poor infrastructure, our recidivism rates remained constantly high for the last 12 years, between 47 – 53%.

Apart from infrastructure, common problems that contribute to the dilemma of the Service relates to manpower shortage, scarcity of expertise in specialised skills, including psychologists, and technological resources, such as vehicles, lack of training, and defunct operational standards, to actually drive the Service forward.

Given the above background, and to address these predicaments, the Service has embarked on 3 separate reviews to try and put the Service on track and be competitive in the correctional field. The Cabinet has endorsed these reviews, and 2 have already started rolling. Each of the 3 reviews will be discussed in much greater detail below.

Late last year, we submitted a proposal to the Government to consider funding the engagement of a Consultant to review the organisational structure of the Fiji Prisons Service. This particular review started in June 2003, and is currently being undertaken by Professor David Biles on behalf of the Australian Correctional Management (ACM). A draft report is still under consideration and expected to be finalised by the end of September 2003, for tabling in Cabinet.

Parallel to the Organisational Review, the Australian Government, under the umbrella of AusAID, assigned a team of Consultants to strengthen the capacity of the Law and Justice Sector in Fiji. Each agency, including Prisons, Police, Director of Public Prosecution and Justice, has a Consultant, who are tasked to look specifically into issues relevant to these agencies and make available solutions by following the normal machinery in the AusAID system. As far as the Prisons is concerned, an interim activity, which seeks to address short-term needs has been endorsed by AusAID, and funding will be dispatched to facilitate the construction of a computer laboratory for young offenders at Nasimu Prison. As part of this package, furniture for recreational purposes, computers and other accessories will also be provided.

The linkage between the David Biles Review and AusAID Law and Justice Sector Programme is that they complement each other in a very broad framework with a view to enhancing our capacity in the treatment of offenders.

The third Review, which is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme, relates to our law, that made provisions for the better regulations of prisons and persons employed therein which came unto force on 1 January 1966. It replaced the previous Prisons Ordinance of 1955. The main Prisons Regulation, which came into force in 1968 and other Special Purpose Regulations are made out under the Prisons Act Chapter 86. The Regulations set out the rules for the admission, classification, custody, discipline and discharge of prisoners committed by the Courts to the Fuji Prisons Service for its care. The Regulations also provide details for the employment and rules of work for Prison Officers of various ranks. These laws are archaic and out-dated, and need to be reviewed.

Mindful of the foregoing reviews, it is envisaged that our stakeholders would be in a better position to appreciate the value of our role in maintaining peace in the context of our beloved country. All three agencies are forceful pillars that could prompt the Government to pour resources to upgrade the level of professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the Service, in order to be robust and dynamic in approaching and dealing with offenders.