9.2.1.4 Police Training “The Police do not receive adequate training to deal with family violence.” Samoa Law Reform Commission submission, Inquiry document 38 The inherent attitudes which lead to a lack of focus on family violence and inappropriate responses to victims can only be changed through strong leadership and quality, regular training. The DVU provides training for one officer from every outpost on how to deal with complaints of family violence but the last course was 5 years ago.100 Given the pervasive scale and nature of family violence it is simply not sufficient to have a minority of officers receive family violence related training once every five years. Under the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Project, the Australian Federal Police also provide technical training to officers in how to handle victims of violence. However, the Inquiry found no evidence to suggest that lessons were being learned across the police force and that old attitudes and practices were still dominant. INQUIRY FINDING 35: Police are not adequately trained to properly deal with cases of domestic violence. There is no evidence to suggest that lessons were being learned from trainings to deal with victims of violence across the police force, and that harmful attitudes and practices were still dominant preventing reporting of family violence. 9.2.2 Prison and Rehabilitation The Inquiry acknowledges the rehabilitation programmes undertaken by the Samoa Prison and Correction Services (SPCS) which addresses violent behaviors. In 2016, SPCS reported 30 inmates as having been convicted of domestic violence related offences, or 8.8% of the prison population.101 However, if 60% of women in Samoa have experienced family violence in their lifetime102 then it is logical to conclude that a similar percentage of all prisoners have carried out acts of violence whether that was the crime they were convicted of or not. Therefore, SPCS has an important part to play in the rehabilitation of all prisoners to lead a non-violent life, not just those convicted of family violence. At the time of the separation of the MoP and SPCS in January 2014, there was no focus whatsoever on rehabilitation within prison. The institution was seen solely as one of confinement and punishment. Since the separation the mindset has changed and rehabilitation is a core feature of the prisons. This is highly commendable, especially on a limited budget. Part of the rehabilitation programme focuses on anger management and has now been completed by 181 inmates.103 Initiatives such as this are a good first step 100 Samoa Law Reform Commission submission to the Inquiry. Document 38 Inquiry anthology. Samoa Prison and Correction Services submission to the Inquiry. Document 117 Inquiry anthology. 102 Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. (2017). Samoa Family Safety Study. Document 46 in Inquiry anthology, accessible at www.ombudsman.gov.ws. 103 Samoa Prison and Correction Services submission to the Inquiry. Document 117 Inquiry anthology. 101