Prisons slammed for shaming Samoa

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 27 July 2016, 12:00AM

The 60 Minutes saga might have died down but Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has still got a lot to say.

This time, Tuilaepa has turned his attention to the officials responsible for the Tafaigata Prisons, in particular the Commissioner of Prisons and Correction Services, Taitosaua Edward Winterstein. 

Speaking during a meeting with three carpenters recruited under the Christchurch Rebuild Programme yesterday, Tuilaepa warned the men against bad behavior. 

“I had given words to try and protect the image of our country about the escaped prisoner (case),” he said. 

“Technology is taking over with the use of Facebook and Twitter…We just had one incident where our country was humiliated as a result of animal-like beaviour by a prisoner who constantly escapes.”

It was at that point he turned his attention to the Commissioner.

“A decision should also be made with regards to the Commissioner of Prisons for being foolish and negligent which has brought shame to our country.”

Tuilaepa stressed the importance of new recruits for the Christchurch Rebuild Programme being on their best behaviour. 

“Don’t do anything stupid overseas that will bring disgrace to your country,” he said. 

“If you do something stupid overseas, in less than four hours it will be made known to the world…these days are different; there are too many gossipers.”

It was not possible to get a comment from the Prisons Commissioner. 

When his office was contacted yesterday his secretary said he was seeing another client and will get back after. The Commissioner’s office did not call back by press time.

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 27 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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