Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, currently serving a one-year sentence at the Nasinu Corrections Centre, is under investigation for allegedly using a phone without proper authorization. Bainimarama, who was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice, was granted limited phone access for medical purposes. However, it is alleged that he has been making private calls, which violates prison regulations.
Corrections Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa stated that the department is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and order within its facilities. Any breach of these regulations is 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,” Mr. Nakarawa said. “To ensure that it does not happen again, appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any individuals found to be negligent or complicit in this matter.”
In light of the incident, the Fiji Corrections Service is reviewing its current policies and procedures to strengthen controls over the medical treatment of inmates, including the use of mobile phones for medical reasons. This reassessment will ensure that special accommodations granted to prisoners with medical needs do not compromise security.
“The court order relating to Bainimarama may need to be addressed to ensure the prisoner’s medical needs are met without compromising security,” Nakarawa added.
The FCS acknowledges the need to balance the medical needs of prisoners with the necessity to maintain strict adherence to prison regulations. The results of the investigation will guide future decisions on managing this balance.