27 Apr 2012

Samoa police to build more prison cells to avoid overcrowding in main prison

10:21 am on 27 April 2012

The inspection of Samoa's main Tafaigata prison this week has resulted in the construction of ten new cells to accommodate inmates and avoid overcrowding.

The inspection was a follow up from the Ministry of health to upgrade the cells after ten prisoners were diagnosed with typhoid fever as a result of too many inmates in a jail cell and unsafe water.

The ministry of police is seeking assistance from the Justice sector to fund the additional cells.

The assistant police commissioner, Leaupepe Fatu Pula, says the condition of the water is still not improved but water tanks have been sought to store rain water and the supply of treated water.

He says the main prison will be able to get a clean supply daily after the government's water authority digs bore holes at Falelauniu area near the prison.

Leaupepe says the ten prisoners are being treated and are recovering.