Ten inmates in Samoa, who were among hundreds released from Tafaigata prison to celebrate the holiday festivities have been found to have caused injuries, and drinking alcohol while visiting their families.
The Samoa's Corrections Authority had released more than 400 prisoners to celebrate the New Year weekend with their families, and had earlier released another 400 to celebrate Christmas with their relatives.
Entrance to Tafa'igata Prison in Samoa. Photo: Tafa'igata / youtube
The acting assistant commissioner and spokesman for the authority, Sagaga Galu Frost says the ten prisoners, including an inmate who is serving a life sentence for murder, are being disciplined.
He says they are being locked in punishment cells for up to ten days, and will also miss out on the fortnightly weekend parole family visit for six months.
Meanwhile, the Authority is praising the safe return of the hundreds of prisoners who celebrated the New Year weekend with their families.
Sagaga says it's the first time such a huge number of inmates were released for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
