TCF administration admits fault in recent suicide death of prisoner

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) Warden, Papalii Marion Fitisemanu admitted to members of the House of Representatives, that TCF was at fault.

Papalii was referring to the suicide that happened at the Tafuna Correctional Facility September 7, 2023 when a young father was able to take his own life while under the supervision of prison guards.

The House of Representatives wanted to find out what actually happened in the jail, and how it happened.

 TCF Warden Papalii and Director of the Corrections Agency, Tauanuu Semu Fasiota Tauanuu both appeared to give explanations.

Papalii said when they received him, he was put into room 18, as they noticed his situation and appeared to be looking for something.

“We were also aware of the fact that he already knew what happened to his family [wife], but what happened on that morning, police are still investigating, whereas we’ve already given statements to police.”

Vice Speaker, Fetu Fetui, thanked the TCF Lead Managers for coming in.

“I’m sad due to too many problems reporting from the TCF. Has there been another issue happening again just in the recent weekend?” Faipule Fetu asked referring to a separate incident other than the suicide earlier this month.

In response, Papalii said, there were two guards on duty that evening, when the juvenile threatened the guard and managed to overpower him, gaining a chance to break the windows and then escape. 

 Faipule Fetu also told the pair from TCF, those are signs of your carelessness and not enough preparation.

Then speaking about the suicide, Faipule Fetu a former prison guard, shared his experience. 

“Something like this had happened during my time,” he pointed out, “but we were trying to prevent this kind of situation. Why is it happening again?”

 Faipule Fetui put it to Papalii, “What happened to this guy, he was in the most critical situation, you could have been extra cautious in keeping an eye on him. Especially when he’s first brought in, there’s a safety policy that should have been put into use, to avoid any problem. Why did it happen?”

Papalii in response to Faipule Fetu, said there is an ongoing investigation, admitting, “We made mistakes and we lapsed” ( e ‘ela ma lape matou i lea tulaga).  

The victim was placed in room 18 because other rooms were overcrowded. He was there during the day, throughout the night and the next morning, when he was discovered early morning.

Papalii also assured the Faipule, "there were guards on watch, during the first day and night, but it'd be hard to talk about what happened after that, as the investigation is ongoing.

He said they've done their part but the police have yet to complete their investigation. However he agreed about the policy, and for a few minutes, they lapsed.

Faipule Fetu put it straight to Papalii, "you're saying you were wrong, that is extremely negligent on your part."

("O lea ua e saunoa mai ua 'ela outou, e sa'o ua matua faatamala lava outou.")

He reminded the TCF Warden that what's usually done in such case, is the lavalava is removed.  But leaving that with him, gave him the chance to do what he did, and you even agree to being negligent, he said.

"If I were conducting the investigation, I'd kick out someone on being negligent.

"You guys are liable, and this is happening while the government just had a pay out as a result of negligent workers in carrying out their responsibilities.”

Vice Speaker Fetu also pointed out another issue with inmates processing telephones.

"You are not doing your jobs," Faipule Fetu accused Tauanuu and Papalii, as "inmates have access to telephones, and I'm tired of receiving calls from them asking for help."  

"When asked, whose phone you're using? It's mine they said."

Former Prison Guard, Faipule Fetu told the two from TCF, he's not sure what other advice to give. But literally he is only now giving a parental advice, but it’s for the administration to show some love, protection for guards.

He said the government may waste more money as a result of negligence from one or two people.