M.P. calls to reinstate Jail Cell No. 9

By Staff Writer 25 January 2018, 12:00AM

Bring back jail Cell No. 9 at Tafa’igata Prison.

The call was made by Associate Minister and Member of Parliament for Faleata West, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, in Parliament this week.

Leala was speaking during the supplementary budget debate when he touched on the issue of escaped prisoners.

According to Leala, the issue has been troubling his constituents for many years because when prisoners break out, the first villages they attack are in Faleata West.

“My constituents have suffered long enough,” he said. “Many of them are affected when these prisoners break out.”

That’s when he called on the government to consider reviving Cell No. 9, also formerly known as the “pasima” as a deterrent measure for the prisoners.

“Bring these escaped prisoners and throw them in there to teach them a lesson,” he said.

The cell is intended for serious criminals where there is no light. It was recently dismantled following pressure from human rights groups.

But Leala said Samoa shouldn’t listen to outside voices.

“Why should we listen to voices from the outside,” he said. “They are not the ones who are hurt when these prisoners escape, it is us who get hurt. And we have to do something to stop this.”

By Staff Writer 25 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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