The Fiji Corrections Service has announced that inmates can be released early through remission and parole. This clarification addresses recent confusion regarding early release from rehabilitation centers.
Remission refers to shortening an inmate’s sentence due to good behavior, as outlined in the Corrections Service Act 2006, which allows the Commissioner of Corrections to reduce a prisoner’s sentence by up to one-third. Parole, on the other hand, involves releasing an inmate before completing their full sentence under the condition that they regularly report to a supervising officer and maintain good behavior. The decision to grant parole is made by the Parole Board, established under the same act.
The Fiji Corrections Service highlighted a confusion stemming from a part of the law, Section 27(4), interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean inmates must serve the full non-parole period set by the court. This has led to misunderstandings about the interaction between remission and parole.
The Supreme Court clarified that while the non-parole period set by the court limits the Parole Board’s ability to release inmates early, it does not impact the Commissioner’s authority to grant remission. Therefore, the court’s non-parole period restricts only the Parole Board but not the Commissioner’s power.
The Fiji Corrections Service recommends removing Section 27(4) of the Corrections Service Act 2006 to eliminate this confusion and ensure the rules about remission and parole are clear and comprehensible. This proposed change aims to enhance the fairness and transparency of the correctional system, benefiting both inmates and the overall system.