The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) has initiated an investigation into former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s unauthorized phone usage. Bainimarama is currently serving his sentence at the Nasinu Corrections Facility.
This investigation follows a High Court order that mandated the establishment of a medical plan for the former Prime Minister, which included the use of his mobile phone for his pacemaker app. Though Bainimarama had been granted limited phone access for medical reasons, he is now being investigated for making private calls, violating prison regulations.
The FCS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and order within its facilities, and any breach of regulations is taken very seriously.
Commissioner of Corrections, Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, stated, “The safety and security of our facilities are of paramount importance. We are conducting a comprehensive investigation to understand how this breach occurred and to ensure it does not happen again. Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any individuals found to be negligent or complicit in this matter.”
The FCS is also reviewing its current policies and procedures to enhance controls over the medical treatment of inmates, including the use of mobile phones in such cases. This includes reassessing protocols for granting special accommodations to prisoners with medical needs to ensure these allowances do not compromise security.
The court order related to the former Prime Minister may need to be revisited to ensure that his medical needs are met without compromising security.
“The FCS acknowledges the need to balance the medical requirements of prisoners 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,” Dr. Nakarawa said.