Overcrowding raises concerns at Tanumalala Prison

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 28 JUNE 2022: A survey by the Office of the Ombudsman has raised concerns with overcrowding at the Tanumalala Prison.

The Ombudsman – COVID-19 Preparedness, Prevention and Control in Places of Detention Assessment Report, provided an evaluation of the preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 at Tanumalala Prison.

The report touched on various areas that need prepping-up but the most pressing issue is “overcrowding in cell blocks” according to Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti.

“Our most pressing issue is addressing overcrowding in prison cell blocks and discussions are underway for the relocation of the female prison cell blocks from its current location inside to land outside of the current prison,” said Papali’i.

She could not give the actual number of prisoners at the time but said relocating women prisoners will ease overcrowding in the male prisoners’ cell blocks but this depends on funding.

This was one of the issues along with a juvenile prison at Tanumalala raised during the fact finding visits by the Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries and the Minister for Police and Prison to Tanumalala late last year.

The Ministry is seeking funds from donor partners for this purpose but for the time being, prisoners are re-assigned to Olomanu and Vaiaata in Savai’i to ease overcrowding.

“Furthermore, we have implemented special release for prisoners who have been endorsed by the Parole Board as part of their reintegration back to society,” Papalii said.

The Ministry is also approaching the Government for additional funding to support costs for operations in the prisons, especially for purchasing of COVID-19 test kits and PPEs for staff, prisoners and visitors.

The Acting Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti.

Better working relations with Ministry of Justice
The other recommendation cited by the Ombudsman is for police to work together with the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration (MJCA) in facilitating hearings for inmates whose cases are due for hearing.

There have been cases where the defendant is scheduled to appear in Court but has not been transferred from prison, but during COVID-19 lock down, the police have prioritised this area with difficulty.

Other recommendations cited by the Ombudsman include:

• addressing anxiety and mental stress of prisoners and staff;
• delays in handling court cases of some prisoners due to court shutdown;
• lack of resources such as testing kits to conduct comprehensive surveillance for all inmates and visitors;
• ensuring there is timely communication of information regarding plans and risks of COVID-19 in a way that is user friendly including display of flyers and messages at cell blocks entry points;
• system to gather and integrate risk perception of people in prison (especially the most vulnerable i.e. pregnant female, older prisoners and inmates with underlying health conditions;
• continue to provide low-risk social interactions and continued psychological support for inmates to assist with anxiety and mental stress;
• ensuring that instances of discrimination especially against inmates who test positive are adequately addressed;
• work with MJCA and AG to facilitate hearings of inmates whose cases are due for hearing.

Papalii welcomed the recommendations although some require long term planning.

“Acquiring service of a clinical psychologist to work full time in prison takes time. We have experienced this with trying to acquire a full time doctor to provide health care services to prisoners.

“Acquiring specialised services for Samoa Police & Prison Correction Services will need a lucrative employment package,” she said.