Lauititi Tualima was once named the nation’s most dangerous criminal and labelled an ‘evil thug’. He has escaped again and this time it has questioned the security measures at the Tanumalala Prison.

A report from the Samoa Police said Tualima escaped around 7 pm on Wednesday. This means that the hardened criminal did not escape from a work party but made a calculated move possibly with the help of someone.

The priority should be capturing the escaped felon because history has shown that Tualima’s probability of re-offending is high.  Following this, the authorities need to set up a Commission of Enquiry and investigate the circumstances of the escape.

The last few prisoners to have fled custody have either run off from working parties, made off from the court or run away from the hospital. It would be interesting to know how Tualima made it past the locked doors and high fences. Something just does not sit right.

This incident is also a reminder to the government that the Corrections Services is still under-resourced and there is a need to increase the numbers of corrections officers. The function of the Corrections Services has changed. Instead of the hardline incarceration, there is more focus on rehabilitation as well.

There are corrections facilities in some countries that have been tagged as the best in the world. It is not because of the thickness of their bars or how strict they are. It is because of the innovative nature of their rehabilitation programs.

Norway has proven that rehabilitation works. Norway has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world. Only 20 per cent of Norway's formerly incarcerated population commit another crime within two years of release. Even after five years, the recidivism rate is only 25 per cent.

Halden Prison in Norway is considered one of the best prisons in the world due to its progressive approach to incarceration. The prison focuses on rehabilitation and humane treatment, to reduce recidivism.

Inmates live in private, well-furnished cells with en-suite bathrooms, and have access to a range of amenities, including a gym, library, and music studio. Halden emphasises education and skill development, offering various vocational programs and courses to help inmates prepare for life after release.

The prison staff, trained in conflict resolution and communication, work closely with inmates to provide support and guidance.

This is something that should be considered by the government. Locking up people and hoping that they learn on their own has not worked. This has led to several escapes and the rate of reoffending remains high. We need to do more for those incarcerated to rehabilitate them.

The public especially those close to Tualima should know that harbouring or aiding an escapee is a serious offence which carries a jail term as a sentence if convicted. People who have information should inform the police straight away.

When Tualima escaped the last time on 23 September 2015, he did so from the hospital and made his way to Tiavi where he broke into a hotel room occupied by the tourists who were due to catch a flight back to Australia that morning.

Tualima demanded cash and their cell phones and they gave him what he had asked for. But he wasn’t satisfied. He then tied up the couple and raped the woman while her husband looked on. He was recaptured on 5 October 2015.

He was jailed 18 years for his first offence and after escaping another 20 years was added on.

The public has to help the police in the recapture of Tualima.