Increase in prison assaults in 2016 compared to the same period in 2015

There was an increase in prison assaults in 2016 in Fiji.

A total of 35 prison assaults were recorded in the first seven months of 2016 compared to 25 for the same period in 2015.    

Four cases of a hunger strike by prisoners were also recorded in this period in 2016.

According to the 2016 Fiji Corrections Service Report, there was also an increase in the number of confiscated mobile phones where a total of 45 mobile phones were confiscated compared to 9 for the same period in 2015.

This was a result of strengthening dynamic security assisted with the installation of Cell Sense Mobile Detector at the Suva Remand Centre.

A case of suicide was also recorded between January and July in 2016.