Ten prisoners from the Naboro Maximum Correctional Facility initiated a hunger strike to demand better inmate rights, enhanced security practices, and improved rehabilitative resources within the prison system. The Fiji Corrections Service affirmed the hunger strike concluded on June 24.
FCS Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa emphasized the pressing need to revise and modernize the Prisons & Corrections Act 2006 after the hunger strike. He said while the end of the hunger strike is a positive step forward, it underscores the urgent requirement of prison system reforms. He stressed aligning the Commissioner’s power with the Prisons & Corrections Act 2006, particularly about staff well-being, contemporary security measures, and framework for specialized units is crucial.
The Prisons & Corrections Act 2006 has been singled out as inadequate in several key areas, and replaced the outdated Prisons Act Cap 86. Dr. Nakarawa pointed out the shortcomings of the Act, like the lack of provisions for modern security technologies, and the omission of essential plans like the Staff Welfare Fund.
Dr. Nakarawa also addressed the operational issues on the Prison Enterprise, which was established under the Prisons Act 2006, and the need to reassess prisoner stipends management and revenue produced from prison activities. He suggested learning from successful practices in countries like Singapore, the United States, and New Zealand to enhance their system and to reinvest a portion of the substantial income from these activities directly into prison facilities and programs improvements.