- Laws of Fiji

Last Updated: 1 December 2016

[CS 13,770] Classifications2

2.1 Central Allocation and Classification Board

2.1.1Membership
The Central Allocation and Classification Board shall consist of—
- (a)Assistant Commissioner Operations as the chairperson;
- (b)Supervisor (Divisional);
- (c)Director Education and Training/Rehabilitation;
- (d)Officer in charge, Suva;
- (e)Welfare officer;
- (f)Prison chaplin;
- (g)Medical orderly; and
- (h)Staff officer operations as the secretary.
2.1.2Roles and Functions
The roles and functions of the Central Allocation and Classification Board are to—
- (a)consider all reports and documentation submitted to them in relation to classification of a prisoner;
- (b)classify all prisoners serving effective sentences (after remission) of 5 years of more;
- (b)monitor prison numbers and facilitate the transfer of prisoners to ensure that accommodation requirements appropriate to security rating are met;
- (c)monitor Early Release Programmes and weekend and short term release to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations and Commissioner’s Orders Nos. 015 and 016;
- (d)report to the Commissioner as required.

2.2 Sentence Planning Board and Divisional Sentence Planning Board

2.2.1Membership
The Divisional Sentence Planning Team shall consist of—
- (a)Divisional Supervisor as the chairperson;
- (b)Officer in charge (Western and Northern Division);
- (c)Chaplin (depends on the religion of the prisoner);
- (d)Government representative (depending on the need);
- (e)Mentor of the prisoner;
- (f)Divisional Sentence Planning Officer;
- (g)Community representative;
- (h)Religious group representative; and
- (i)Institutional Rehabilitation Officer (I.R.O).
The Sentence Planning Board shall consist of—
- (a)Director Educational Training as the chairperson;
- (b)Assistant Commissioner for Prison;
- (c)Prison chaplin; and
- (d)Psychologist.
2.2.2Role and Function of the Divisional Sentence Planning Team and the Sentence Planning Board
The role and function of Divisional Sentence Planning team and the Sentence Planning Board are to—
- (a)recommend to the Supervisor, a prisoner’s suitability for a particular security rating, accommodation location, work and education programmes and approved release programmes;
- (b)review every 3 months, in accordance with specified procedure, security ratings of all convicted prisoners;
- (c)make recommendations to the Supervisor with respect to leave of absence programmes for the purposes of education, employment, re-integration or compassionate grounds;
- (d)interview prisoners when required;
- (e)interview prisoners who, due to inappropriate behaviour have been returned to the secure compound by the officer in charge; and
- (f)ensure that all prisoners who are undergoing classification or review are made fully aware of the classification process and in particular their obligations and responsibilities.

2.3 Issues to be considered by Central Allocation and Classification Board

2.3.1The Central Allocation and Classification Board must be aware of and take into account the following criteria when considering the security rating of a prisoner—
- (a)type of offence(s);
- (b)circumstances of offence(s);
- (c)criminal history (previous record of offences, particularly similar offences, offences in company with others’ and offences committed ‘with violence’;
- (d)protection requirements;
- (e)remorse level in relation to the offence(s);
- (f)location of co-offenders (if prisoners);
- (g)alliances with other prisoners;
- (h)prison behaviour and record of discipline (for example, an escapee must serve at least 50% of his or her current sentence [not greater than 5 years] before being considered for a low security rating. If the prisoner escapes twice in the same sentence, he or she must serve at least 5 years before being considered again for a low security rating;
- (i)reasons for transfer from other prisons;
- (j)prisoner’s family situation (especially conflict or situations which cause anxiety, especially illness and death);
- (k)whether or not prisoner receives visits, and from whom;
- (l)prisoner’s health and physical fitness in relation to particular work;
- (m)the need to attend education and awareness programmes to prevent further crime (eg conflict resolution, literacy);
- (n)commitment to rehabilitation programmes which may include work, education or release programmes;
- (o)previous work skills and/or vocational training requirements;
- (p)age of prisoner and capacity to undertake specific work/education or release programmes.

2.4 Central Allocation and Classification Board

2.4.1Frequency of meetings

Meetings of the Central Allocation and Classification Board will occur fortnightly, chaired by the officer in charge. Meetings must be conducted according to the prescribed schedule, regardless of whether or not there are cases to be reviewed.

2.4.2Recording of meetings

Minutes must be recorded at all meetings, detailing all particulars relating to the classification of each prisoner as per the attached Prisoner Classification Report (Appendix A).

2.4.3Reporting of meetings

The Central Allocation and Classification Board will provide a monthly report to the Commissioner.

2.5 Classification Process

All convicted prisoners shall be classified.

2.5.1Short Sentence Class
- (a)Short Sentence Class are those serving sentences not exceeding 3 months.
- (b)Classification of sentenced short sentence class must occur as soon as possible but within 2 weeks after admission/sentencing. In order to ensure the stability or otherwise of a short sentence class prisoner and his or her suitability to participate in work and education programmes, the Central Allocation and Classification Board must consider the classification of Short Sentence Class prisoners with reference to—
  - (a)the prisoner’s file;
  - (b)other relevant written reports (eg discipline, medical etc)
  - (c)the age and gender of the prisoner;
  - (d)the offence for which the prisoner has been sentenced;
  - (e)the circumstances of the offence;
  - (f)any previous convictions;
  - (g)the prisoner’s attitude and demeanour;
  - (h)known associates of the prisoner in the prison;
  - (i)the prisoner’s skills and training;
  - (j)the prisoner’s needs, which may include medical, psychiatric, psychological consultation, referral to counselling;
  - (k)level of family support
  - (l)the prisoner’s preference with regard to work location;
  - (m)the current security assessment;
  - (n)interview of the prisoner.
- (c)Recommendations are to be summarised in the Minutes of the Central Allocation and Classification Board and verified at the next scheduled full meeting of the Board.
- (d)Classification recommendations are to be recorded on the Prisoner Classification Report and submitted to the Supervisor for consideration.
- (e)The Supervisor’s decision regarding a prisoner’s security rating is to be recorded on the prisoner’s file, together with the reasons for the decision.
- (f)The Supervisor is to ensure that the prisoner is advised of his or her security rating within 24 hours.
2.5.2Other classes
- (a)The Central Allocation and Classification Board shall convene to classify those prisoners serving sentences of 3 months or more.
- (b)The officer in charge of sections where a prisoner resides, is working or is attending an education program, will provide either a verbal or written recommendation regarding an appropriate security rating for the prisoner.
- (c)Classification of prisoners other than short sentence class prisoners must occur within 2 weeks after admission/sentencing with reference to—
  - (a)the prisoner’s file;
  - (b)other relevant written reports (eg discipline, medical etc)
  - (c)the age and gender of the prisoner;
  - (d)the offence for which the prisoner has been sentenced;
  - (e)the circumstances of the offence;
  - (f)any previous convictions;
  - (g)the prisoner’s attitude and demeanour;
  - (h)known associates of the prisoner in the institution;
  - (i)the prisoner’s skills and training;
  - (j)the prisoner’s needs, which may include medical, psychiatric, psychological consultation, referral to counselling;
  - (j)level of family support;
  - (l)the prisoner’s preference with regard to work location;
  - (m)the current security assessment;
  - (n)interview of the prisoner;
  - (o)the prisoner’s place of origin or family residence.
- (d)The secretary of the Board shall be responsible for the recording of the minutes of meetings, which must include the discussion relating to that recommendation on the Prisoner Classification Report.
- (e)The Prisoner Classification Report is to be submitted to the Supervisor for the Prison that the prisoner must be allocated to for consideration.
- (f)The Supervisor’s decision regarding a prisoner’s security rating is to be recorded on the Prisoner Classification Report, together with the reason(s) for the decision.
- (g)The Supervisor is to ensure that the prisoner is advised within 24 hours of his or her security rating.
2.5.3Classification Reviews
- (a)All short term class and other classified prisoners must be reviewed by the Classification Committee once every 3 months.
- (b)Any changes to the circumstances and/or recommended security rating of the prisoner are to be documented on the Prisoner Classification Report.
- (c)The Prisoner Classification Report is to be submitted to the Supervisor for the Prison that the prisoner will be allocated to for consideration or information.
- (d)The Supervisor’s decision regarding a change in the prisoner’s security rating is to be recorded on the Prisoner Classification Report, together with the reason(s) for the decision.
- (e)The Supervisor is to ensure that the prisoner is advised within 24 hours of the change in his or her security rating if applicable and it is recorded in the prisoner’s file.

2.6 Officer in charge, reception and discharge

2.6.1The reception and discharge officer plays an important role in the collation of information relating to prisoners and the documentation of classification details (see Commissioner’s Local Order No 007). The duties of this officer are as follows—
- (a)maintain a list of prisoners to be classified and reviewed and allocate review dates;
- (b)ensure prisoner file covers are accurately maintained, updated and available for Central Allocation and Classification Board Meetings;
- (c)ensure that any details relating to escape, including the sentence received as a result are included in prisoners’ files;
- (d)ensure that all necessary information is available at the Central Allocation and Classification Board meeting;
- (e)prepare a list of all prisoners to be classified and reviewed.

2.7 Security Ratings

2.7.1High Security
A high security rating means that strict security is required for prisoners who are considered high escape risks or who threaten the good order, security and management of the prison. Prisoners classified with a high security rating will be required to remain in high security accommodation. High security prisoners will not be permitted to be outside the secure area, except under close escort for specific and approved purposes.
2.7.2Medium Security
A medium security rating is required for prisoners who are to be considered a lesser security risk, but for whom supervision is still required. A medium security prisoner can be supervised outside a secure area for work purposes.
2.7.3Low Security
A low security rating provides for the limited supervision of those prisoners who have proved themselves to be trustworthy. Low security prisoners are permitted to work outside secure areas within the prison and participate in community work and other approved programmes outside the correctional institution. Low security prisoners can be assigned to undertake general and specific work duties and may be considered for low security accommodation areas, where there is an emphasis on trust, self care and responsibility and less restrictive routines apply.
2.7.4Escape criteria
Prisoners who have one escape recorded during a current sentence are not eligible for low security until half of the accumulated sentence (remainder of current sentence at the time of the escape sentence received for the escape any additional sentence for offence(s) committed whilst at large) has been served. In the event that this exceeds a period of 5 years, such a prisoner will be eligible for low security after having served 5 years (escape free).