Ulugia Niuia Aumua said the authorities were taking all the blame for the several escapes that had occurred from Tafaigata prison over the past few weeks.
However Ulugia said the latest two prisoners to escape had now handed themselves in voluntarily.
They are now kept in a special cell with 11 other high risk prisoners, including others who escaped just before Christmas.
Ulugia said prison management had to do better.
"I can understand the criticism, knowing that these prisoners were brought here to be in safe, secure custody," he admitted.
