Drug infiltration in prisons, security and health risks on the rise - Acting Corrections Commissioner

Fiji’s prisons are under constant pressure as drugs continue to infiltrate correctional facilities, creating serious security and health risks.

Acting Corrections Commissioner Auta Moceisuva has revealed that there are 2,169 inmates nationwide, including 255 drug offenders and about 173 of these prisoners are living with HIV.

He says drug offences now rank fourth among prison admissions, after sex offences, property crimes, and offences against persons, showing that drug trends in the community are increasingly reflected inside correctional institutions.

Moceisuva says inmates have developed systematic ways to bypass existing security measures, making the problem particularly difficult to manage.

He says security strategies rely mainly on physical measures, and the Corrections Service lacks the technology needed to detect different types of contraband brought into prisons.

INSERT: Acting Commissioner on prisoners concealing drugs 26th Feb

Moceisuva says controlling drugs is further complicated by the involvement of prisoners’ families, as relatives can unknowingly carry drugs into facilities, increasing the risk of use and violence.

He adds that drugs can trigger erratic behaviour among inmates, making prison management more difficult.

He also highlighted serious health concerns, including the sharing of injecting equipment and the potential for increased HIV transmission within prisons.

Moceisuva says the Corrections Service has a rehabilitation framework for all inmates, including drug offenders, aimed at identifying criminal behaviour and preparing prisoners for reintegration as responsible citizens, however there are currently no dedicated drug rehabilitation facilities outside prisons.

He says Cabinet has approved the construction of a dedicated drug rehabilitation centre, which has been included in the government’s budget, and officials are seeking donor partnerships to support the programme.

Moceisuva says while the situation is serious, it is currently manageable, with proactive counter-strategies being developed to prevent the drug problem from escalating within institutions.

He says the department is combining physical security measures with community awareness campaigns and preventive strategies to reduce the flow of drugs into prisons.

However, he admits that technological limitations remain a major obstacle, as the Corrections Service lacks advanced equipment to detect concealed contraband.

The Acting Commissioner stressed that constant vigilance and strong community engagement are essential to keeping the situation under control.

When asked about immediate actions needed to strengthen Fiji’s response to the drug problem, Moceisuva stressed that adequate funding is critical, and that all agencies involved in the fight against drugs require sufficient resources for enforcement, prevention, and rehabilitation efforts to be effective.