Samoa’s Minister for Finance has defended the government’s plan to invest nearly $US8 million ($F16m) in the Tanumalala Prison project.
Sili Epa Tuioti said conditions inside Tafaigata Prison were inhumane and overcrowded and construction of the new jail needed to start before costs escalate.
The minister told the Samoa Observer the country needs to spend the money to ensure prisoners stop escaping and hurting innocent people.
He said the current prison was not providing any rehabilitation programs and the new facility would be a highly secure, clean environment.
He said it was a good investment that would contribute to the Samoa’s economic development and that he would work hard to ensure the resources were available to complete it.
