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The Laws of Fiji
Last Updated: 1 December 2016

[CS 12,240] Procedure storage of personal properties of prisoners3 

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3.1 Prisoners are permitted to keep a limited amount of personal property in their possession in accordance with the following list—
  • (a)Items of clothing (ie T-shirts, trousers, shorts, jumper, jacket, socks, thongs, underwear, hat/cap);
  • (b)Books;
  • (c)Eye glasses (prescription);
  • (d)Sunglasses;
  • (e)Legal papers;
  • (f)Private papers;
  • (g)Musical equipment;
  • (h)Photographs;
  • (i)Towels;
  • (j)Toiletries;
  • (k)Religious jewellery, books and materials;
  • (l)Watch;
  • (m)Plastic water bottle;
  • (n)Writing material (ie pen, pencil, paper, postage stamps).
3.2 The officer in charge may authorise additional property upon request, giving consideration to security rating and behaviour of the prisoner.
3.3 The officer in charge of the prison shall determine the amount of property that a prisoner retains.
3.4 Property in excess of the amount permitted in cells by the officer in charge will be stored in a secure storage area.
3.5 Remand prisoners shall be permitted to wear their own clothing in prison and to court if it is appropriate, clean and in a reasonable state of repair.
3.6 The following prohibited articles will not be permitted in the prison—
  • (a)tools of any description, unless authorised by the officer in charge;
  • (b)flammable fluid;
  • (c)combustible material;
  • (d)drugs of any description;
  • (e)syringes and other devices for administering illegal drugs;
  • (f)firearms and replica firearms;
  • (g)weapons of any description;
  • (h)ammunition, explosive or detonation device;
  • (i)acidic, caustic or flammable substance;
  • (j)grappling hook, rope or ladder;
  • (k)cutting or spreading device;
  • (l)keys or replica keys, security card or electronic security device;
  • (m)liquor of any description;
  • (n)money and credit cards;
  • (o)passport;
  • (p)false identification;
  • (q)tattoo guns or device capable of changing appearance of resident or causing risk to his or her health;
  • (r)any other articles considered by the officer in charge to, either threaten prison security, or considered injurious to a person.
3.7 The officer in charge may include additional items that are considered to be a threat to the good order and management of the prison.
3.8 The officer in charge must ensure that upon admission of a prisoner, all property belonging to the prisoner is clearly labelled with the prisoner’s name and recorded in a Prisoner Property Register.
3.9 Prisoners shall not be permitted to have money in his or her possession. The stores officer will ensure that all money belonging to the prisoner is counted, valuable items documented in the prisoner’s presence and recorded in a Prisoner Property Register. All monies and valuables must be securely stored.
3.10 A receipt must be issued for all property and money that the prisoner will sign to indicate that all items have been correctly recorded. The prisoner will be issued with a copy of the receipt.
3.11 A prisoner property sheet (Attachment A) must be completed detailing all property belonging to the prisoner, which is then placed in the prisoner’s personal file. The prisoner property sheet is to be updated when property is removed from or brought into the prison.
3.12 A prisoner may request that items of property or money are handed to family members or nominated visitors.
3.13 Any medication found in the possession of a prisoner must be removed and given to the visiting medical officer.
3.14 Any items of the prisoner that is infested with vermin will be destroyed and the prisoner notified. This action is to be recorded in the Prisoner Property Register.
3.15 The reception and discharge officer must ensure where a prisoner’s personal clothing is—
  • (a)destroyed by staff because it is unfit for further use; or
  • (b)destroyed or seriously damaged in circumstances that were not under the control of the prisoner,

that suitable replacement clothing is provided upon the prisoner’s release from custody.

3.16 Property belonging to a prisoner who is transferred from another prison will be checked against the property sheet contained in the prisoner’s file and the property recorded in the Prisoner Property Register.
3.17 Property belonging to a prisoner who is being transferred to another prison will accompany the prisoner to the destination prison. The stores officer will ensure that the property sheet is correct at the time of transfer.
3.18 The stores officer must ensure that upon release from prison, all property is checked and accounted for and returned to the prisoner. The prisoner will sign the Prisoner Property Register to indicate the return of property.
3.19 In the event that a prisoner dies whilst in custody, the officer in charge will ensure that the prisoner’s property is handed to the family of the deceased prisoner.
3.20 The officer in charge must investigate all allegations of loss, damage, theft or destruction of any personal property belonging to a prisoner.
3.21 The officer in charge must document the findings of the investigation and forward the report to the Supervisor.
3.22 The Supervisor shall advise the prisoner of the outcome of the investigation. A copy of the report will be placed in the prisoner’s personal file.
3.23 No member of staff shall receive or have in his or her possession any property belonging to a prisoner.