Commonwealth Secretariat officials have completed a two-day visit to several correctional facilities in Fiji as part of preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Justice Ministerial Meeting, which Fiji will host in February 2026.
The Head of Rule of Law at the Commonwealth Secretariat, toured the Suva, Naboro, Lautoka and Ba Correctional Centres on 12 and 14 November.
According to McLean, the visit was essential in gaining first-hand understanding of Fiji’s justice and rehabilitation landscape.
“For such a high-level meeting, it would be prudent to visit some of your facilities and hold discussions with the staff and inmates on their views relating to access to justice in Fiji,” he said.
Dr Macharia expressed her gratitude to the Corrections Service, acknowledging the coordination and support that enabled the delegation to inspect the facilities.
She noted their keen interest in the design, layout and rehabilitation programmes provided to inmates.
During the visit to Ba Corrections Centre, inmates welcomed the delegation with a performance from their male voice choir, earning enthusiastic applause from the visitors.
“The cleanliness of your prisons, commitment to rehabilitation and discipline is remarkable. It was powerful to visit the gallows and see the caning stand in order to contrast the old way of doing things here with the new,” he said.
