Samoa’s Minister of Police and Corrections Services has denied claims juvenile prisoners are kept as ‘’caged animals’’ at Tanumalala Prison.
According to the Samoa Observer, Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson made the observation after a judiciary visit of the facilities two weeks ago.
Juvenile prisoners have all been transferred from the purpose built Olomanu Juvenile Detention Center to allow older prisoners to stay there and look after a plantation to help feed prisoners.
“The prison is not a hotel and no, they don’t sleep on the concrete floor, they have mats,” the Minister said.
He pointed out the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration visit was during the day when the mats were stored away.
The minister also said the prison doesn’t provide pillows which families of the juveniles provide along with bed sheets.
“What does Vui want? To install air conditioning and add queen size beds into the rooms?,” asked Tialavea.
The Minister said there are only four juveniles at Tanumalala and they are housed near the location of the prison’s clinic.
He added this area is secluded and away from where the adult prisoners are held.
‘’These rooms have bathrooms of their own, the luxury that is not afforded to adult prisoners,’’ he said
