The Fiji Corrections Service has clarified that inmates may be released early through remission and parole. This announcement comes amidst confusion regarding early releases from rehabilitation centers.
The service explained that remission allows for a reduction in an inmate’s sentence due to good behavior. Under the Corrections Service Act 2006, the Commissioner of Corrections has the authority to reduce a prisoner’s sentence by one-third for good conduct.
Parole, on the other hand, permits an inmate to be released before completing their full sentence. However, they must regularly report to a supervising officer and continue to exhibit good behavior. The Parole Board, established by the same act, is responsible for determining parole eligibility.
The statement highlights that there has been confusion about how remission and parole processes interact. According to the Fiji Corrections Service, the Supreme Court indicated that Section 27(4) of the law requires inmates to serve the full non-parole period designated by the court.
This interpretation has caused uncertainty regarding the interplay between remission and parole. The Supreme Court clarified that while the non-parole period set by the court limits the Parole Board’s capacity to release inmates early, it does not affect the Commissioner’s authority to grant remission.
Therefore, the court’s non-parole period only constrains the Parole Board and not the Commissioner’s power to reduce sentences through remission. It has been recommended that Section 27(4) of the Corrections Service Act 2006 be removed to clear up any misunderstandings.
Eliminating Section 27(4) will ensure that the rules concerning remission and parole are straightforward and comprehensible. The Fiji Corrections Service emphasized that this change will enhance fairness and transparency within the correctional system, benefiting both inmates and the broader correctional framework.