Inmates at Suva Prison & Corrections Center.

The Chief Justice Anthony Gates has described the overcrowding at the Suva Prison & Corrections Center as unacceptable.

Justice Gates made this statement during his visit to the institution on Saturday, August 07, where the influx of remand inmates over the past few months has caused overcrowding.

“The situation is unpalatable,” Chief Justice Gates said.

Accompanying the Chief Justice were Justice Daniel Goundar, Director Public Prosecutions Mr Aca Rayawa, the Permanent Secretary of Social Welfare Mr Govind Samy, senior officers from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Works Departments.

The officials were at the institution at 0700am and were on hand to witness the unlocking procedures of 341 inmates, 30 more than the maximum capacity of 311.

The total muster for inmates on Saturday, August 07 was 152 convicted inmates and 189 remand inmates.

The timed visit by the judiciary and other senior government officials was intended to give them a clearer view of the current overcrowding situation faced by FPCS.

After touring the Korovou facility the officials who were hosted by the FPCS Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua visited the proposed site for a new remand facility.

The site that has been earmarked is situated between the Women Corrections Institution and the Suva Boys Centre.




www.corrections.org.fj