samoan prisoners

Chief executive of the Ministry of Justice and Court Administration Moliei Simi Va'ai told the Samoa Observer, 56 prisoners had made parole applications - 18 were declined with 17 deferred until the next board meeting later this year.

The chief executive did not give details of the crime committed by the prisoner who was released on parole from a life sentence.

The parole meeting had been deferred from December because of the measles epidemic and the state of emergency.

The Samoa Observer reported that Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil admitted there was a lot to consider.

The Tanumalala facility is about 40 minutes from the current overcrowded and dated prison.

Fuiavailili said the safety of everyone including the public is vital in their planning.

He said the safety of participants in the July Pacific Games was paramount.

The commissioner said he was concerned with the safety of the inmates, but also with police and prison staff.