The Fiji Corrections Service has taken on another 54 prison officers as two new facilities are about to be opened soon.
The Corrections Commissioner Francis Kean told Fiji media that the institution would continue to recruit more officers before the opening of the Lautoka Corrections facility for women and the new remand centre for men and women.
Mr Kean said there were 1799 inmates in corrections facilities around the country, which included those who were convicted and sentenced for crimes and those awaiting trial.
He also highlighted that the use of contraband such as mobile phones in the facility was also a continuing issue for the institution.
The Commissioner said the service would continue to give second chances to those that fall on the wrong side of the law.
He himself served one week in prison for manslaughter after he fatally beat a wedding guest to death.
