A reshuffling of senior officers in strategic positions is being implemented as part of the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Service capacity building and institutional strengthening.

As part of the exercise, Acting Superintendent Salote Panapasa becomes the new Director of Education, Training and Rehabilitation. SP Panapasa has created another milestone in the Prisons Department by being the first female to hold the post. She was also the first female to hold the post of Staff Officer Administration.

In other changes, SP Jope Caginidaveta is now the new Supervisor Naboro Prisons replacing ASP Josefa Kulinidilo who now becomes Senior Operations Officer at Command Centre. Replacing SP Caginidaveka as Supervisor Northern is Acting ASP Manasa Rakabikabi who was previously the OC Maximum Security Prison. Acting ASP Nemani Ligadua is the new OC Maximum.

In charge of the Suva including the Womens Prison, Nasinu, Lakeba and Levuka as Supervisor Central Eastern Division is Acting SP Sairusi Gauna who was previously in charge of Professional Standards. He replaces SP Mansa Ram who now becomes Staff Officer Farms. Acting ASP Sevuloni Naucukidi takes over as OC Suva Prison.

Taking over at Professional Standards is ASP Viliame Bulewa who was the Staff Officer Research and Planning. He is replaced by ASP Oliver Fisher who was previously the Commandant of the Staff Training College in Naboro. Acting ASP Jona Nawaqavou is now the new Commandant while CPO Govind Sami is the new Staff Officer Administration.

A group of senior officers including SP Lino Matakiloto and ASP Leliki Tokoniono have taken up special duties in head office to review the Commissioners’ Orders and Regulations.

In an effort to boost morale and also to underscore the significance of the occasion, the handing over of command at the Naboro Prisons was witnessed by over 200 officers and overseen by the Commissioner of Prisons Brigadier Ioane Naivalurua. Prison chaplain Reverend Lekima Gonerara consecrated the handover.

Brig. Naivalurua says that the changes are important as the department is positioning itself to face future challenges and realise the core values.