3 Dec 2013

Samoa prison management probe ends

2:41 pm on 3 December 2013

Samoa's Commission of Inquiry into allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power at Tafaigata prison has completed hearing evidence.

The Commission heard from 122 witnesses, including 40 prisoners, seven former inmates and 56 prison and police officers.

The suspended police commissioner, Lilomiava Fou Taioalo, was the last to testify.

The proceedings have been closed to the public and the media in the last three weeks.

The Commission is now reviewing the evidence and drafting its report to Cabinet which should be handed in before the expiration of four months of its appointment on January the 6th.

The suspension of the police commissioner and one of his assistant commissioners heading the Tafaigata prison should end on December the 22nd.