- Laws of Fiji

Last Updated: 1 December 2016

[CS 12,335] Procedures for transfer and transportation of prisoners3

3.1 Upon receiving advice pertaining to the transfer of a prisoner to another prison, the officer in charge shall ensure that the officer in charge, reception and discharge—

(a)notifies the prisoner;
(b)notifies the officer in charge of the receiving institution; and
(c)notifies the prisoner’s next of kin.

3.2 The officer in charge, reception and discharge shall ensure that—

(a)the transfer authority is in order and correct;
(b)the prisoner is properly identified;
(c)the personal property of the prisoner is accounted for;
(d)all documentation pertaining to the prisoner is ready for transfer; and
(e)all prison issue equipment is returned.

3.3 All documentation and prisoner property will be transferred with the prisoner.

3.4 When all of the above is certified correct the officer in charge, reception and discharge will hand over the prisoner to the escorting officer.

3.5 The Escorting officer(s) shall—

(a)search all prisoners immediately prior to leaving the prison;
(b)receive and check property in the presence of the prisoner;
(c)check the prisoner particulars against the transfer authority;
(d)identify the prisoner’s security classification in order to apply appropriate restraint and escort as follows—
- (i)High security — hand cuffs and 2 officers.
- (ii)Medium security — handcuffs and one officer.
- (iii)Low security — no handcuffs and one officer.
- (iv)2 or more prisoners of any security rating will be accompanied by at least 2 escorting officers. Two prisoners may be handcuffed together with one pair of handcuffs if appropriate to security rating;
(e)ensure constant supervision and arrange comfort breaks whenever required if transported by road;
(f)ensure arrangements are made for a secure area to hold the prisoner on transit if transported by air;
(g)ensure that the prisoner is handcuffed (if appropriate) and kept under observation at all times;
(h)hand over the prisoner, all documentation and personal property to the receiving officer; and
(i)ensure that the receiving officer certifies and signs for the prisoner.

3.6 The receiving officer in charge must ensure that the transfer documentation is receipted and returned to the originating prison, with a copy provided to the Divisional Supervisor of the originating prison.

3.7 Prisoners being transferred from another prison must only be received between the hours of 9.00 am and 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday unless special arrangements have been made by the officer in charge of the receiving prison.

3.8 Escort arrangements as stipulated in 3.5 above must be applied to prisoners being transported to a court, hospital or medical facility.