COMMISSIONER of Corrections Lieutenant Colonel Ifereimi Vasu has urged his senior officers to come up with solutions rather than problems.
According to a statement, Lt-Col Vasu spoke at the opening the Fiji Corrections Service's second quarter Command Group meeting in Suva and said with growing challenges in the officers' line of work, it was important that they worked smarter.
"What I need from you is answers to the problems and challenges you are facing," he said.
"We reached a milestone by going past the 1400 mark as our muster continues to grow and that is a daily challenge for us.
"We have to think outside the box and work smarter."
Lt-Col Vasu said in the face of the challenges coupled with minimal resources, officers must continue to strive to achieve what the government has mandated for the department.
"In terms of recidivism, the programs that we put in place now will determine whether inmates return to our institutions.
"As for the rehabilitation of inmates, we have contributed tremendously to the clean-up after the recent floods in the West, including the rehabilitation of pine plantations.
"Now we have moved to cane harvesting.
"This is a form of rehabilitation for those under our care."
With regards to escapes, Lt-Col Vasu said these incidences must be taken seriously.
"There was one incident each in the first and second quarter. If there is an escape during a movement or from a working party I can accept that but not if there is an escape from within our walls - that's unacceptable."