Fiji Corrections Service issues warning to civilians against throwing of contraband items over prison walls

The Fiji Corrections Service has issued a warning to civilians against throwing of contraband items over prison walls and fences or dropping it off at the cemeteries where inmates are posted to work daily.

This follows yet another foiled attempt to smuggle illegal items such as marijuana, mobile phones and Fijian tobacco or suki, into the Suva Remand Centre this week with a throw-in which was immediately caught by guards on duty.

Also recently, two persons were caught by officers trying to drop off illegal items to inmates at the Nasinu Cemetary and have since been handed over to Police to be dealt with.

Assistant Commissioner of Corrections Senior Superintendent, Tui Saladoka says while prisoners themselves go to extreme lengths to smuggle items in, it is sad to see that civilians are also taking the risk themselves.

He says they have been collecting items for a number of days now with the latest being that of an incident executed right in the face of their guard on duty at the fence.

Saladoka says the Fiji Corrections Service has implemented security measures in place to detect contraband items on prisoners or persons entering the facilities with the use of electronic scanners and CCTV.

Under the Corrections Act, a person who is caught trying to smuggle contraband items into prison or is caught trying to hand over illegal items to inmates faces jail time of 6 months or a fine of $2,000.

Members of the public can report in suspicious incidents by calling the following numbers 9905086, 9905205 or for issues at the Cemetary 9905 555.