Government is committed to improving correctional services around the country and ensuring that prison inmates are provided with better facilities and services.
This commitment was highlighted today at the ground breaking ceremony of the new Suva Remand centre, Korovou by the Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Minister Khaiyum said that today’s event is a milestone in the history of the Fiji Corrections Services. He also highlighted how past members of the judiciary had made reference to the state of prisons around the country including overcrowding in these centres.
“Under the Bainimarama Government, the prominence of the corrections services has escalated with our willingness to address these issues in a fundamental manner. Government has placed importance on the Yellow Ribbon Project and looking at resources at prisons services on what they need”, Minister Khaiyum said.
The Minister for Justice also reminded prison officers that they have an enormous task in terms of rehabilitating offenders.
“There has been a lot of capital works in the past years ensuring we adhere to international standards. The remand center will serve as a multipurpose for those detainees in breach of immigration. It will create transparency and provide a modern day facility.”
The new remand centre which expected to be completed in 8 months is contracted to A Jan Group – Western Builders.
The project costs $10.4 million which will accommodate 200 remand inmates for young offenders.
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