The Minister for Justice following consultation with the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary advises that the HIV positive population in the Fiji Corrections Services is 8% of the total inmate population for the year 2024. This includes those incarcerated and those in remand. The widely reported 60% is inaccurate, misleading and mischievous.

The Minister for Justice, Honourable Siromi Turaga urges all stakeholders to verify numbers and report accurately issues of national concern and interest. “I underline the importance of information being accurate and verified.  We have a responsibility to those in our corrections facilities, the officers, their families and loved ones, and the families and loved ones of those incarcerated and in remand, to be honest, to act with professionalism and integrity at all times.  It is imperative that numbers and percentages are accurately recorded and verified.”

“As the Minister responsible for Corrections, I have a keen ongoing interest in ensuring that the safety and welfare of our officers and those under their charge, remain a priority. I will continue to pursue and impress upon the FCS that all care and responsibility must be always taken in the discharge of duties to all,” Honourable Siromi stated.

The total numbers released by the Fiji Ministry of Health indicate that a total of 143 new cases of HIV was reported in 2024 against a total population of 1777.