4th July 2014
Australia stands committed to strengthening the Solomon Islands’ Justice Sector
The Correctional Services of Solomon Islands today inaugurated eight new staff houses which were funded by the Australian Government. The five houses at Tetere Correctional Centre and three houses in Naha were handed over by the Australian High Commission to CSSI at two official ceremonies which were held in Naha and Tetere today.
The houses were constructed and renovated as part of a long-running infrastructure program which commenced under the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2004 in partnership with CSSI. This has led to the construction and renovation of correction centres and staff housing at Lata, Kirakira, Auki, Rove and Tetere. This program will be brought to a close with the completion of the Gizo Corrections Centre, which is expected by the end of the year.
While delivering a speech as part of the ceremony, the Australian High Commission’s First Secretary, Robin Perry, praised CSSI as one of RAMSI’s big success stories.
“The Correctional Services of Solomon Islands has worked with the Australian Government to construct and refurbish key infrastructure assets and many of these meet and even exceed relevant United Nations standards. It has worked hard to promote greater equality between men and women in the workplace, with CSSI’s Women’s Network receiving the Australian High Commission’s award in recognition of its work on International Women’s Day.”
“CSSI has also undergone an important shift in how it sees its role. Its main focus is now on rehabilitation, rather than punishing offenders, to enable them to become productive members of society once again. This was given an important boost very recently with the enactment of the Corrective Services (Parole) Regulations 2014.”
“It is no coincidence that CSSI has such a strong leader at the helm.”
From 2003-2013, Australia supported the development of the justice sector in the Solomon Islands through RAMSI. In July last year, this support moved to Australia’s bilateral aid program.