Two people have died while in the custody of the Fiji Corrections Service, with one inmate dying from injuries sustained after allegedly being scalded with hot water and the other following a medical emergency.
In a statement, the Service says 29-year-old remandee George David Komainaua sustained serious burns on 24th October after another remandee allegedly poured hot water over him while they were preparing dinner at the Suva Remand Centre.
They say Komainaua received immediate medical attention before being transferred to the CWM Hospital for further treatment.
However, he later developed sepsis, which was confirmed as the cause of his death on 31st October.
They say the matter has been referred to the Fiji Police Force, while an internal Board of Inquiry has also been established to investigate the incident.
In a separate incident, 39-year-old convict Inia Naqia died after experiencing a medical emergency at the Lautoka Corrections Centre infirmary on Saturday.
The Corrections Service says Naqia had an existing medical condition affecting his brain and had previously received hospital treatment but subsequently refused to undergo an MRI scan.
The duty nurse provided emergency medical assistance before Naqia was transferred to Aspen Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 10.52am.
The official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, as his family has refused to allow an autopsy.
Acting Commissioner of Corrections Auta Moceisuva has extended his condolences to the families of both deceased inmates.
Moceisuva says the Fiji Corrections Service places great importance on the safety and welfare of all inmates under its care.
He says both incidents are being investigated and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings, with full reports to be submitted to the relevant authorities once the investigations are completed.
