A-G: No brutality

THE charging and suspension of Fiji Corrections Service officers who assault inmates should be a good deterrent to others who may have similar tendencies.

Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said this after he toured the Fiji Corrections Service Korovou facility in Suva on Monday.

He said there was a zero tolerance policy for brutality.

“As I said, it’s been 16 years, and at one time this was accepted and for one to be told to stop, it’s going to take some time,” Mr Turaga said.

“But I’ve told them, you measure yourselves according to the Constitution, according to the Corrections Act, and according to the minimum standards.

“Everything else must align with those three principals.

“The fact that some offices are now being charged, that’s a good deterrent to others.”

The A-G said no form of abuse could be kept under wraps and the same could be said about the assault of prisoners.

“Even if it’s held in the maximum (security), one way or another, it’s going to make its way out.

“So, they’re quite aware of that because when it occurs, it undermines the good work one does for the prison service.

“The fact that the law is taking its own course, they’ve been charged and they will be processed accordingly.

“For others who went through internal investigations and are on suspension — it’s an ongoing one.

“Senior officers are talking to them, talatala (ordained minister) doing his own rounds with the inmates.”

Mr Turaga said any policy that did not comply with the three principles an officer should abide by, should be reviewed instantly.