Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who is currently serving a one-year sentence at the Nasinu Corrections Centre, is under investigation for allegedly using a phone without authorization. The investigation aims to determine the specifics of the unauthorized phone usage.
Bainimarama was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice and granted limited phone access for medical purposes. However, it is alleged that he has been making private calls, which is a violation of prison regulations.
Corrections Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa emphasized the department’s commitment to maintaining high standards of security and order. He stated that any breaches of these regulations are taken seriously. “The safety and security of our facilities are of paramount importance. We are conducting a comprehensive investigation to understand how this breach occurred,” Nakarawa said. “Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any individuals found to be negligent or complicit in this matter.”
The Fiji Corrections Service is now reviewing its policies and procedures to strengthen controls over inmate medical treatments, including the use of mobile phones in such cases. “This includes reassessing the protocols for granting special accommodations to prisoners with medical needs to ensure that these allowances do not compromise security,” Nakarawa explained. “The court order relating to Bainimarama may need to be addressed to ensure the prisoner’s medical needs are met without compromising security.”
The FCS recognizes the need to balance prisoners’ medical requirements with the imperative to maintain strict adherence to prison regulations. “The results of this investigation will inform future decisions on how best to manage this balance,” Nakarawa concluded.