Corrections officers need help, says A-G
CORRECTIONS officers and civil servants who worked under the previous government need professional help because of the difficult and challenging environment they had worked in.
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said this after touring the Fiji Corrections Service Korovou facility on Monday.
He said corrections officers faced more difficulties than their counterparts in the Fiji Police Force and Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
“As you may be aware, working in the correctional system has been very challenging and we need to address the trauma that comes with it and they need professional help,” Mr Turaga said.
“The officers need professional help, likewise other civil servants who worked under the past administration, they need assistance, in terms of the difficulties they worked in.
“They work in a very strenuous environment.
“Imagine trying to cope with people who have brushed with the law, some are seasoned at that, and then trying to control them.
“So, the approach now is trying to create an environment where they can work freely.”
The A-G also said corrections officers’ accommodation would also be looked into.
“Also trying to lift the standards in terms of the welfare of the offices, accommodation wise.
“As you are aware, most of the military, Police and Corrections accommodations, there is a standard.
“It’s a barrack of two bedrooms, one for the husband and wife and one room for the other children, and imagine if they have five children.
“When you work in a very difficult challenging environment, you want to go home and relax.
“So that’s something I wish to explore with our partners, trying to set accommodation that when they come home, and it destresses them.
“Prison work is difficult compared with military and police.”
Mr Turaga said he would also be in talks with the vice-chancellor of the University of the South Pacific for corrections officers to further their education.
“We also looking at providing avenues where the officers can further education at the USP and regional institutions.
“There is one in Malaysia, but we need to try too also in New Zealand, maybe we can liaise with our Australian and New Zealand counterparts so we can send our officers across.
“There’s also a possibility to have discussions with the VC of USP so we can have some courses at USP, especially for our officers.
“Not only for the officers but also for the inmates.”
Mr Turaga said he had given Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Salote Panapasa the freedom to exercise discretion in terms of the administration of authority.