Lack of manpower has been linked to the recent outbreaks of in-mates from prisons around the country.
This is according to Ana Tamani, Fiji Corrections Service spokesperson.
According to Tamani the current ratio of inmates to prison officers at the operational level of the Fiji Corrections Service is one officer to ten inmates.
Tamani said there is overcrowding at prisons resulting in in-mates outnumbering officers.
Tamani added that there is more of an increase then reduction in the number of inmates at their 12 institutions going from 1300 inmates in September, to 1400 in October and reaching 1500 to-date.
The lack of staff she said seriously compromises the security of the 12 institutions during emergency situations also causing greater stress and fatigue for the officers.
Story by: Gwen Mc Goon
