The mother of high-profile inmate Tevita Qaqanivalu has taken to social media to voice her distress and frustration after being denied a visit to her son at the Maximum Corrections Centre on what she claims was his birthday. In her post, she recounted her disappointment upon arriving at the facility for a scheduled visit, only to be informed that all visits had been canceled without any prior notice.
Expressing her shock and humiliation, she stated that she had received confirmation of her visit beforehand. Despite her inquiries, prison officers reportedly offered vague explanations, indicating the cancellation stemmed from directives issued by higher authorities. The mother was later informed that the order had originated from a Cabinet Minister due to allegations that her son had sent inappropriate text messages from a mobile phone while incarcerated.
She raised concerns regarding the identification of her son as the sender without a thorough investigation, questioning whether law enforcement had verified ownership of the phone and SIM card in question. Her post included queries about the authority of a Cabinet Minister to veto family visits without following due process and criticized the lack of prior notification to her as the biological mother.
Furthermore, she alleged a pattern of mistreatment and unprofessional conduct towards her son and other inmates, calling for an independent investigation into these allegations and the overall conditions at the facility. She appealed to the Prime Minister for intervention, emphasizing the need for justice, transparency, and humane treatment for inmates and their families.
In response, the Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice categorically denied any involvement in halting the visit, labeling the claims as false. This assertion was echoed by the Officer in Charge of the Maximum Security Centre, who stated that operational decisions regarding family visits rest solely with him. The Acting Commissioner of Corrections clarified that such visits are privileges accorded to inmates who demonstrate good behavior and not rights.
The Fiji Corrections department acknowledged the importance of family visits in enhancing family ties and contributing to the rehabilitation process. They highlighted that just the previous day, over 2,300 family members visited 1,021 inmates across 16 correctional facilities in Fiji, underscoring the value placed on maintaining family connections during incarceration.
As the situation unfolds, it brings to light the complexities surrounding inmate rights and family privileges within the corrections system, highlighting the ongoing conversation about the treatment of inmates and their families in Fiji.
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