The $US6.8-million facility was opened by Samoa's prime minister on Friday and inmates were transferred on Saturday.
The Samoa Observer reports that over 400 prisoners are housed in the new facility and the transfer operation cost $US37-thousand.
The Ministry of Prisons and Correctional Services hired 10 buses for the transfer -- 15 trips were made by the motorcade.
The minister, Tialavea Tionisio Hun, says that about 80 people can fit into each of the six cell blocks at Tanumalala.
