MOST convicted and remand inmates in corrections centres are from Tailevu.
This, according to Fiji Corrections Services chaplain the Rev Josefa Tikonatabua.
Speaking at the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting at Ucunivanua Village, Verata yesterday, he said this had been the trend over the past four years.
“This is the fourth year and people who are originally from Tailevu still top the list of prisoners out of the 14 provinces in Fiji,” he said.
“It has never changed and it is a concern because it keeps increasing even though a memorandum of understanding was signed between FCS and the Tailevu Care Network.
“Before, it was common for the Lau Province but they decreased and the numbers are slowly declining, but Tailevu Province has never changed over the past four years.
“Right now there are 298 prisoners from Tailevu, remand prisoners are 73, convicted prisoners are 225 — male prisoners are 217 while female are 8.
“There are 72 male remandees, while there is only one woman remand prisoner.”
He requested district representatives to address the issue.
