The Fiji Corrections Service has clarified that inmates can be released early through remission and parole. This comes amidst confusion regarding early release from rehabilitation centers.
The service explained that remission involves shortening an inmate’s sentence due to good behavior. Under the Corrections Service Act 2006, the Commissioner of Corrections can reduce a prisoner’s sentence by one-third if they behave well.
Parole, on the other hand, allows inmates to be released before completing their full sentence, provided they regularly report to a supervising officer and continue to exhibit good behavior. The Parole Board, established under the Corrections Service Act 2006, decides on parole releases.
The statement also highlighted confusion about the interplay between remission and parole processes. According to the Fiji Corrections Service, the Supreme Court interpreted Section 27(4) to mean inmates must serve the non-parole period set by the court in full. This led to misunderstandings about how remission and parole operate together.
The Supreme Court clarified that while the non-parole period limits the Parole Board’s ability to release inmates early, it does not affect the Commissioner’s authority to grant remission. The court’s ruling restricts only the Parole Board, not the Commissioner’s power to reduce sentences through remission.
The recommendation is to remove Section 27(4) of the Corrections Service Act 2006 to ensure the rules concerning remission and parole are clear. This change will help clarify how the processes work and will make the system fairer and more transparent, benefiting both inmates and the correctional system.