The Minimum Corrections Centre at Naboro. Smoking will soon be banned at all Corrections institutions.

There will soon be a total ban on smoking inside the secure perimeter of all Fiji Corrections facilities.

Deputy Commissioner Akuila Namakadre made the comment while presenting to senior members of the Fiji Corrections Service yesterday.

Namakadre and Corrections Commissioner Lt Col Ifereimi Vasu recently returned from the Asia Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) in Tokyo which was attended my members from the Asia Pacific region.

Mr Namakadre said the Smoke-free Corrections policy approach by the New Zealand Department of Corrections was an experience shared during the conference.

“Currently, the ban on smoking only applies to inmates. Now we want to ensure that the ban applies to Corrections officers as well throughout the 12 institutions,” he said.

“We will soon approach the Ministry of Health to conduct a 12-month awareness programme on all our institutions after which there will be an amnesty period before the actual implementation of the policy,” Namakadre said.

The decision to move towards a smoke-free prisons is aimed at bringing about an improved and healthier working environment for Corrections staff.

The no smoking policy will also address inmates’ health and safety. 

www.corrections.org.fj