HIV concern rises inside Fiji’s prisons

Concerns are mounting over the spread of HIV within Fiji’s prison system, with authorities warning that ongoing drug use behind bars is compounding serious public health risks.

Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service Auta Moceisuva said while the situation remained manageable, it required urgent and coordinated reform.

The problem, he explained, fuels a broader cycle of drug use inside prisons, complicating inmate management and contributing to health risks, including the spread of HIV.

Fiji’s prisons house 2169 inmates nationwide. Of these, about 250 are drug offenders, while approximately 173 prisoners are living with HIV — figures that highlight the intersection between substance abuse and public health concerns behind bars.

“The dynamics of drugs is not only focused on treatment,” he said.

“It also has a by-product pathway — HIV.”

Mr Moceisuva said one of the ongoing challenges was attempts to smuggle drugs into correctional facilities during visits.

“One of the difficulties that we have is the families of these prisoners, noting that some attempt to smuggle drugs into correctional facilities during visits,” he said.

Authorities say inmates have developed increasingly sophisticated methods to conceal contraband, including drugs, syringes and smoking apparatus.

The Corrections Service relies largely on physical security measures and lacks advanced detection technology to intercept prohibited items effectively.

“We lack technology to detect the different kinds of contraband. Fight against drugs is a daily struggle.”

He said drug use inside prison facilities could trigger erratic behaviour, making discipline and rehabilitation more difficult.

In response, the Corrections Service has stepped up outreach efforts in communities, warning families about the consequences of introducing drugs into prison institutions.

Officials stressed that smuggling substances into facilities not only undermined rehabilitation efforts but also worsened health and behavioural issues among inmates.

For now, Mr Moceisuva maintained that the situation was “not that serious”. He emphasised that authorities were proactively strengthening counter-strategies to prevent the problem from escalating.