21 Nov 2012

Fiji police investigate recent prison breaks

2:32 pm on 21 November 2012

The police in Fiji are investigating the circumstances around recent escapes by remand prisoners in their custody but are confident they have robust procedures in place for securing prisoners.

In the past week, eight remand prisoners have escaped, including three from the Nadi Police Station, and four from Korovou prison - five have since been recaptured.

The assistant commissioner of police, Rusiate Tudravu, says an investigation team is looking at whether correct processes were followed while the men were under their watch.

He says it's more likely that a lax attitude by staff will be the problem rather than procedures being at fault.

"We have all the process and procedures that are currently going now but we hope that the investigation will reconfirm and have a finding for us to work on just to avoid unnecessary break out from remand prisoners."

Rusiate Tudravu says police officers will be held accountable if they are at fault.