TWENTY-six inmates at the Naboro Maximum Correction Centre have been on a hunger strike since Wednesday, alleging Corrections officers are taking food meant for prisoners.
The claims were posted on social media through an account under the name of inmate Tevita Qaqanivalu, whom the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) has described as an “outcast” of the institution.
A copy of their petition, provided to The Fiji Times by a family member of one of the inmates, alleges that prisoners assigned to kitchen duties were no longer allowed to begin work at 4.30am.
“Instead of being unlocked in the morning at 4.30am, the inmates employed in the kitchen were now unlocked at 9am and our meals are now prepared by any Tom, Dick and Harry available, and officers are corrupting our ration more than ever due to lack of transparency,” the letter stated.
“We witness here on a daily basis that start from the highest to the lowest rank officer are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“We also witness here that on a daily basis bread is being smuggled out (stolen) in large quantities by officers to take home.”
The inmates also allege that Section 2.10 of the Commissioner’s Local Orders — which says prison industries should focus on growing food and raising livestock to supplement prisoners’ diets — is not being followed.
“The prisoners work hard in the sun to grow crops and livestock not to supplement our diets but to cater for officers’ corrupt practices.
“The livestock and eggs, and quality fresh vegetables are mostly consumed by officers and sold to the public – mostly to the officers’ family and friends – with free delivery cost on taxpayers expense.”
In response, FCS released a statement saying the strike was initiated by five known “incorrigible offenders who intermittently disregard the rules and regulations of the institution”.
“As of this morning (yesterday), the five inmates that instigated the hunger strike have been isolated to the segregation area while the two inmates who refused to participate in the hunger strike remain in the usual accommodation facility.
“The remaining 20 inmates continue to be on hunger strike and have been accommodated in the wings with close supervision.”
FCS said that normal routines that applied in hunger strikes incident were being exercised and that investigations were ongoing to establish the factuality of the other claims made by them.
Fiji Human Rights Commission commissioner Alefina Vuki confirmed to The Fiji Times that after receiving a complaint, they visited the Naboro facility yesterday and investigations continue.
Justice Minister Siromi Turaga also confirmed reading a copy of the inmates’ letter of petition and said that the ministry was obligated to verify the grievances of inmates.
He also said the strike “is one of common ploy used by inmates to express their grievances”.