OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, SAMOA Samoa’s Second Universal Periodic Review absence of a uniform induction process50 (which includes a mental and general health assessment51), and other basic needs. Recommendation 19: That the Samoan Government fully implement the Prisons and Corrections Act 2013 and the recommendations contained within the NHRI’s ‘Detention Centre Inspections Report’, June 2015, including addressing prison water supply, improving hygiene, classifying and separating prisoners, developing a standard induction process, and improving access to health care. 29. An additional area of concern is the lack of focus placed on education and rehabilitation within Samoa’s detention centres. Where education or rehabilitation programs did exist they were not conducted regularly or uniformly.52 Recommendation 20: That the Samoan Government develop and implement comprehensive educational and vocational training and rehabilitation programs for prisoners. 30. Advanced plans have been made to relocate the main prison at Tafaigata to Tanumalala53 and development would have already commenced had it not been for a reported total lack of water supply at the new site. This immediately raises serious questions regarding the suitability of the new site for Samoa’s main prison. Recommendation 21: That the Samoan Government take a human rights based approach to the design and development of the new prison, involving the NHRI in the planning phases. 3.5 Health 31. The NHRI acknowledges the work of the Samoan Government in improving the overall health status for Samoa over the past decade.54 The new Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital is a world class facility and the National Health Service’s focus on primary health care and prevention in order to improve long term health outcomes is commendable.55 48 Serious water shortages were reported during the inspections, including a two month period where juveniles at Oloamanu Juvenile Detention Centre were unable to shower and had to survive on coconuts collected from the area. Note 44, p 21. 49 Note 44, p 14. However, it has recently been reported to the NHRI that an on-site nurse will soon arrive at the main prison at Tafaigata. The NHRI will monitor developments in this area during its next set of inspections. 50 Note 44, p 14. 51 During the inspections it was noted that a prisoner with mental health issues died whilst in prison. Reported at: http://www.samoaobserver.ws/home/headlines/2710-boxing-day-tragedy-at-tafaigat 52 Such as the computer laboratory at Oloamanu Juvenile Detention Centre which was only used when the donor (a Church) could be present and only by detainees who already had computer skills and were under the age of 18. Note 44, p 24. 53 Widely reported in Samoa, including at http://www.samoaobserver.ws/home/headlines/13313-plan-for-new-prison-on-the-movepm 54 World Health Organisation correspondence, 28 April 2015, located on file with the NHRI. 55 National Health Service, About NHS: Our Vision, Mission and Values, available at: http://www.nhs.gov.ws/index.php/about-thedhb#OVMV 11