An Emergency Control Unit has been established to investigate any illegal activities involving corrections officers.
Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa stated that the unit was created to tackle the issue of officers allegedly smuggling contraband into prisons.
“I am trying to get rid of this problem of contraband going inside,” Dr. Nakarawa said.
This announcement comes after an officer was reportedly caught smuggling illicit drugs and mobile phones into the Minimum Corrections Centre at Naboro during a recent night shift.
Dr. Nakarawa noted that although efforts to curb contraband smuggling had been successful for a while, the issue has resurfaced.
“We had been successful for a while, but it sort of continued, and we suspect that the officers are in fact being used to carry those items.”
“That’s why we are more vigilant now. We have an Emergency Control Unit that is tasked to carry out investigation work on these kinds of suspicious activities.”
Offending officers could face job termination, while inmates would face no loss, he added.
“It is a concern, and we are trying to uplift our security in the institution.”
“This issue has been ongoing for some time, and we are beginning to suspect that officers are actually taking the items in.”
“This will not be tolerated. Disciplinary actions will be taken against them, and they will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”
“We are reviewing the security processes and procedures because this has been an ongoing problem since I came into office.”
Dr. Nakarawa reminded his officers to perform their duties without compromise.
“My message to the officers and those who intend to do this is simple – you’re here to do the job, don’t be compromised.”
“The golden rule in the Corrections Service is that familiarity breeds contempt. When you become too familiar with inmates, you are liable to be caught in these kinds of trafficking offenses.”
“And once you are in, you are in. You can’t get out of it. When you are caught, the inmates have nothing to lose but the officers have everything to lose.”
“If you are caught, you’ll go through the disciplinary process, and you might lose the job.”
“So, my advice to the officers always is the same – be true to your job and uphold the integrity that is required of you.”
Dr. Nakarawa also revealed that they had started improving operations in the Corrections Service now that their budget had been approved.
“The budget allocation has been encouraging for us. The officers will also get a pay rise, and they are really looking forward to it.”
“We are happy with the budget and now we are trying to improve operations so that the budget increase we received is justified.”