Work has been completed at Lautoka Corrections Service with hopes of seeing a significantly enlarged and improved facility at the Corrections Service.
While commissioning the new Lautoka remand centre Chief Justice Anthony Gates says that these works are part of an ongoing programme for improved facilities in the correction service.
Chief Justice Gates also revealed that there are now 2 new remand blocks for the Lautoka Corrections Service.
He says that the construction started on block one in 2014 and works were completed in June 2015 where the project cost $1.6m
Justice Gates adds that an investment of $1.3m saw the construction work start on block 2 in December 2016, the project was completed in March 2017.
He says that both blocks can accommodate a combined a total 190 remandees and this brings the total capacity for the remand centre to 292 remandees.
He highlighted that the old block will continue to be used, and the old block itself will also undergo renovations hopefully in 2017/18.
Chief Justice Gates says that the centre will remand 58 corrections’ personnel.
He adds that a new administration block was built in June 2015 and was completed in October of the same year and these new blocks will alleviate the overcrowding issues at the Lautoka remand centre.
Justice Gates revealed that there are 163 remandees as of the 26th of April 2017 held in the remand centre, a facility that can now accommodate a maximum of 292 remandees and this increased capacity is greatly welcomed.
Chief Justice Gates says that there are also civil works for a new Canine and Emergency Control Units that are awaiting government tender board approval.
Justice Gates has confirmed that it is hoped the office building, accommodation and kennels will be completed by July this year and this section will be mend by 10 corrections officers.
