The Ministry of Police Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS) has been separated into two separate entities, and then re-emerged, and separated, and then re-emerged into one again!
And Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt told local media at his weekly press conference that proper review and assessment will need to precede any decision as to the next steps for the joint Samoa Police and Prisons.
The previous administration had approved the separation of the Ministry of Police and Prisons, a change that should have been in effect this financial year 2025/2026.
However, the plan was placed in the back burner when Parliament did not pass the budget in late May which triggered an early General Election.
The intention for the separation by the previous administration was to allow the Police to focus on law enforcement and security, while the Prison & Corrections service focus on inmate rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
But that intention had been the same reason given for the original decision to separate Prisons from the Samoa Police over twelve years ago in July 2013.
The project back then was overseen by a Prisons Review Taskforce, established by a Sector Steering Committee in November 2010, chaired by the then Commissioner of Police.
In May 2020 while the entities were separated, the Samoa Police Service were called in to deal with a mass prison break of over 30 prisoners who attacked Prison security and escaped from the Tanumalala facility.
Tuilaepa’s Cabinet responded by suspending the Commissioner of Prisons and Correctional Services, Taitosaua Edward Winterstein over the jail break, and brought the agency back under Commissioner Keil whose Police service had captured all prison escapees on the same night of the breakout.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa was asked during last weeks press conference, if the current administration would proceed with the approved plan.
However, the Prime Minister confirmed the plan had been temporarily put aside, and that any further decisions would await proper assessment and review of all options.
“Ua matua’i uma le tu’ufa’atasi, fa’ata’ape toe tu’ufa’atasi fo’i.
“O lea e mataitu poo le a sa’o lava le mea e tatau ona fai.”
The Prime Minister said it was important to consider all factors, adding that the mass prison break of May 2020, was a clear example that the prison service still needed the guidance, support and oversight of the Ministry of Police.
“I la’u vaai i le 9 vaiaso lea na tulai mai ai le faigamalo ou te iloa e manaomia e le falepuipui le fesoasoani a le ofisa o leoleo.
“We cant leave them alone,” said the Prime Minister.
Laaulialemalietoa added that, for now, the two agencies will remain merged. In the meantime the Ministry is reported to be undergoing a review by visiting members of the New Zealand Police.
“Mo le taimi lenei tatou o ia i le tu’ufa’atasi sei malosi lelei le falepuipui ona tatou agai loa lea i le polokalame rehabilitation, correction..
“Ae mo le taimi lenei ia e tatou te onosai poo fea lava o iai le malu o le fesoasoania’i.”
The Prime Minister said Government will revisit the decision when it is confident that the Prisons Authority was ready to operate independently and fully implement effective rehabilitation programs.
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