Acting Commissioner of Corrections Auta Moceisuva, alongside Peni Sikivou, the Permanent Secretary for National Planning, Development and Statistics, visited the Suva Correctional Centre to examine potential solutions for relocating the facility. This inspection comes in response to persistent challenges faced by the Suva CC, particularly flooding and sewer spills during periods of heavy rainfall.
Moceisuva highlighted that the correctional centre often requires the relocation of inmates from low-lying dormitories during severe weather events. This process has repeatedly manifested in shifting inmates to already overcrowded facilities, causing significant discomfort and complications for those housed there. Currently, the Suva CC is accommodating 330 inmates, surpassing its designed capacity of 280, which further underscores the urgent need for reform.
“The entire drainage and sewer system requires significant realignment, but attempting such changes will only worsen the issues, given the ongoing developments around the area, which limit expansion opportunities,” noted Moceisuva.
In an effort to overcome these enduring challenges, the Ministry of National Planning and the Fiji Corrections Service have initiated a working committee that will investigate the possibility of relocating the Suva CC to Naboro. The committee is tasked with preparing an extensive report that addresses critical factors such as road infrastructure, modern rehabilitation facilities, court services, staff accommodations, and emergency support.
Following the preparation of this report, a joint Cabinet Paper from both the Ministry of National Planning and the Fiji Corrections Service will be submitted to the government, which will outline a phased plan for the relocation. This initiative signifies a hopeful step toward enhancing the living conditions for inmates and ensuring safer operational standards for correctional facilities in Fiji.