Corrections chief needs support of everyone to clean up illegal activities in facilities

The smuggling of illicit items such as drugs, cigarettes and mobile phones into prisons and jails continues to be a serious security concern for the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS). Prisoners and those at the remand centre go to extreme lengths and undertake huge risks in their attempts to smuggle these illegal items into the Correction Centres.

It’s even more complicated and difficult to police when some prison staff and outsiders are also involved.

The range of items smuggled and how they are smuggled are mind boggling.

Some of those caught have been prosecuted for aiding and abetting the smuggling.

Prisoners go to extreme lengths in hiding this contraband in their body cavity on entry into the Correction Centres and whilst incarcerated. They should be reminded that this is self-inflicted rape and they should be ashamed of themselves for doing this personal harm to their bodies.

The prisoners have developed ingenious ways of smuggling contraband. In the process, Correction facilities have been damaged and cost the Corrections Service thousands of dollars.

Items damaged include toilet bowls, toilet pans, sewage piping, cell walls, tiles and CCTV cameras. The inmates hide items in the wall and plaster the damage with toothpaste.

Drugs are thrown over the fence into the prison grounds by those travelling on public transport. Green netting has been placed just below fence to catch any illicit substance thrown in and later collected by Corrections officers on duty.

This is working and it will be used in the other Corrections Centres all over the country.

FCS has started using body scanners since 2007 to assist them in their daily duty of detecting the smuggling of contraband at the main gates of its 15 Corrections Centres. It will also be installing permanent electronic body scanners at two of its Corrections Centres this year as part of this strategy of assisting them in curbing and nullifying this security threat. It’s sad that some officers have been involved and we should FCS for its zero tolerance on collusion.

Several officers have been terminated from the service for crossing this line. A few currently have their cases before the court and three have been convicted by the courts and serving their time prison.

FCS Commissioner Commander Francis Kean should be congratulated for measures he has put place to stop the smuggling of contraband.

He needs the support of everyone to clean up the facilities from illegal activities.