The Cabinet is reviewing a proposal by the Ministry of Police to separate its operation from the Prisons and Correctional Services.
Minister of Police and Prisons, Faualo Harry Schuster in an interview with Radio Polynesia confirmed the proposal.
The proposition comes 21 months after the Police merged with the Prisons; which was legalised in Parliament after the mass prison breakout where 36 prisoners escaped from the Tanumalala prison.
The Minister said the proposition is considering the role of Police in terms of enforcement starting from when they arrest anyone, with the whole objective is to enforce the law and lock the person behind bars.
“However looking at the role of the Prisons and Correctional Services is rehabilitation and it's very difficult to have the two objectives run by the Department that put you in jail in the first place.
“And looking at the practical level when probation or someone wants to apply for probation, the party that sits at the table to hear the application is also controlled by the Police Service.
“How you draw the line between the overall role of Police and controlling the Prisons and Correctional Services, that is where I believe the functions of these services are diametrically opposed,” said the Minister.
He said the Prisons were independent for not a long period of time and the only reason why the former Administration opted to bring the Prisons back under the control of the Police was due to the mass prison break.
“To me, prisoners will always attempt to break out, but it does not justify putting the prison under the control of Police and not pursuing the rehabilitation objective and I don’t support that.” said the Minister.
