Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is being investigated for allegedly making unauthorised calls at the Naisinu Correction Centre.
In a statement, the FCS confirmed a thorough investigation was being carried out on the authorised use of Bainimarama’s mobile phone which was only allowed by the High Court to keep track of his pacemaker app.
“Bainimarama, who had been granted limited access to his phone for medical purposes, is now being investigated for making private calls, a clear violation of prison regulations,” the FCS statement said.
“The FCS is committed to upholding the highest standards of security and order within its facilities, and any breach of these regulations is taken very seriously.”
FCS Commissioner Dr Jalesi Nakarawa said the safety and security of their facilities was of paramount importance.
“We are conducting a comprehensive investigation to understand how this breach occurred and to ensure that it does not happen again,” said Dr Nakarawa.
“Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any individuals found to be negligent or complicit in this matter.”
Meanwhile, the FCS was also reviewing its current policies and procedures to strengthen controls over the medical treatment of inmates, including the use of mobile phones in such cases.
“This includes reassessing the protocols for granting special accommodations to prisoners with medical needs to ensure that these allowances do not compromise security.
“The Court Order relating to Bainimarama may need to be addressed to ensure the prisoner’s medical needs are met without compromising security.
“The FCS acknowledges the need to balance the medical requirements of prisoners with the imperative to maintain strict adherence to prison regulations.
“The results of this investigation will inform future decisions on how best to manage this balance.”
