Repeal Non-parole Law says Corrections Commissioner

The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) is calling for the repeal of the non-parole period law imposed on convicted prisoners to address the issue of overcrowding.

FCS Commissioner, Jalesi Nakarawa outlined this during his presentation to the Ministry of Justice of Japan and members of the Ministry of Justice in Fiji at the FCS coffee shop, Korovou in Suva yesterday.

During the presentation, FCS assistant Commissioner, Planning Policy, training and strategy, Auta Moceisuva, said the approved number of prisoners for the FCS Korovou facility has been superseded with the increasing number of prisoners that come in daily.

As of yesterday, 278 prisoners were being sheltered at the Korovou Corrections facility; a surplus of 78 prisoners from the 200 that the facility can cater.

“There are prisoners in our custody who are over 60 years old, lying down and not being able to do any work because of their medical conditions,” Mr Moceisuva stated.

“While we agree that we must provide treatment when they need it, we also realise that we don’t have the expertise to look after those that come in with serious medical conditions.”

Mr Moceisuva stressed the removal of non-parole period would ease the load.

Currently, there are 980 prisoners at all FCS facilities who have non-parole periods.

Acting DPP, Nancy Tikoisuva disagreed with this saying that the non-parole period is the courts genuine concern over the act in itself.

“I don’t think removing the NPP (non-parole period) is going to solve the issue,” Ms Tikoisuva said.

“The FCS statistics on sexual offenses are lower than that of the DPP’s because, the result of what we fight against in court comes to FCS.

“This week alone, I’ve had to sanction withdrawals on these offenses.

“FCS needs to raise awareness to the community about this issue.”

According to Section 27 (4) of the Correction Service Act 2006, prisoners with non-parole period must serve their full sentence.

Mr Nakarawa said this supersedes remission.

“The Commissioner is empowered by law to grant one third remission of the sentence, but this has been prevented by the non-parole period,” Mr Nakarawa said.

“So, we are unable to release quite a few prisoners because of NPP attached to their sentence.

“If that Act is repealed, then we can release prisoners on remission.”

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