Samoa's commission of inquiry investigating allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power in Tafaigata prison is set to start next week.
Chaired by the country's Ombudsman Maiava Iulai Toma, the commission will also include Gatoloai Tili Afamasaga, a former teacher and Su'a Tanielu, a former fisheries expert who was working for the Forum Fisheries Agency.
The commission will review the management of the prison, complaints filed by prisoners and police officers, treatment of prisoners, and alleged maltreatment of inmates.
The commission will also review the release of prisoners on weekend parole, the posting of them outside of the prison, the alleged gifting or loaning of money by prisoners to police officers, alleged affairs involving officers, prisoners and spouses and relatives of prisoners.
The inquiry will also consider submissions relating to frequency of prison escapes, and the methods used by police to re-capture escaped prisoners.
The commission has decided to open the inquiry to the public and the media.
