Drug-related offenses have now become the predominant category of crimes within Fiji’s prison system, according to Senior Superintendent Isireli Dausiga, the Director of Training and Rehabilitation at the Fiji Corrections Service. SSP Dausiga reports that approximately 60 percent of all offenses are drug-related. This troubling statistic not only encompasses inmates convicted of drug possession and trafficking but also includes those who commit crimes while under the influence of drugs.
Recognizing the urgent need for targeted support, SSP Dausiga expressed the necessity of establishing dedicated rehabilitation centers for drug addicts and users. Plans are currently being discussed to construct such facilities in both the Western and Northern Divisions of Fiji, aimed specifically at addressing drug-related issues.
Highlighting the challenges posed by outdated infrastructures, he noted that many existing prison facilities were built during the colonial period and were not originally designed to promote rehabilitation. “The facilities that we have are colonial, and it is a prison. It was made to be a prison. It will always be a prison,” he stated. However, in a positive move towards reform, Dausiga mentioned ongoing collaborations with development partners to build a new prison in Naboro, which would ultimately replace the current Suva prison, emphasizing a shift toward rehabilitation-focused practices.
In addition to institutional efforts, local villages and traditional leaders are actively taking a stand against drug cultivation and trafficking, reflecting a community commitment to combatting the drug crisis in Fiji.
This multi-faceted approach—combining the establishment of rehabilitation facilities, the renovation of existing prisons, and community involvement—points towards a hopeful future for addressing drug-related offenses in Fiji and fostering a more rehabilitative prison environment.
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