Samoa police have charged three prison officers with assault at the conclusion of an internal investigation.
A police spokesman and assistant police commissioner, Papali'i Li'o, says the three officers are charged with assaulting an inmate at Tafa'igata main prison, causing serious injuries.
The police authorities were told of the alleged offence when the victim's relatives wrote to the police commissioner.
But a source in the Sex and Crimes Victim Support Group organisation says the inmate's family had approached them for help after many requests for a police inquiry were ignored.
Meanwhile, the officers have been suspended to await the outcome of their court case.
