By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Refurbishment work on the Vaia’ata Prison was dedicated on Friday with the strong message, ‘this is the last place you want to be’.

Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, announced that this is part of improving general prison facilities and services in the country.

“But this is not a hotel and we don’t want you to get too comfortable in these facilities. The idea is, you come here, you take a good look at yourself and you leave a better more productive citizen,�? said the Prime Minister. “A prison is for rehabilitation of offenders and not a general accommodation facility.�?

He quipped;

“Perhaps some of you when you leave here can become Police officers one day.�?

Plans by the Ministry, the Prime Minister said, include adding more cell blocks at Tafaigata, upgrading of the Olomanu Rehabilitation Center and making the prisons more secure.

“We also want the prisons to be self-sustainable with little dependence on taxpayers.

“So the prisons will be encouraged to grow their own food, maintain their cattle piggery farms and look at other avenues – like harnessing bio-gas from animal waste – for cooking.

“We have a very successful Chinese exhibition farm at Nuu and, possibly, they will be asked to conduct similar farm training workshops for our prisons.�?

Vaiaata Prison is home to about 30 inmates, mostly youth offenders. It covers about 200 acres of government-owned plantations and cattle farm.

Share This

About the author

Palemia Ugapo

Related Posts

PM applauds Pago’s Forum move

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Governor Togiola TulafonoBy Tupuola Terry Tavita Pime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has lauded Governor Togiola Tulafono’s efforts to pursue Observer Status for American...

Villages under fire over forest fires

By Tupuola Terry Tavita Villages in Savaii should take the lead in stamping out the irresponsible practice of creating fires in the heavily forested areas of Savaii. Especially in the middle of an acute dry season,...

We can win rugby World Cup, says PM

Samoa celebrate their victory. Photo: Anthony Johnson (RNZI) Samoa’s stunning Test victory over Australia shows the national side is capable of winning this year’s Rugby World Cup, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi...

4 Comments for Vaiaata Prison revamped