PRISONERS also have human rights, says Fiji Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission (FHRADC) chairman Pravesh Sharma.

He told the Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177 the commission has conducted 15 prison visits so far this year to inspect their conditions.

“Yes, prisoners are in jail for a reason. They have committed a crime, they have gone through a court case, they are convicted, and they are now doing their time, but at the end of the day, they are human beings,” Mr Sharma said.

“They have human rights, and we have to ensure that that’s respected, that means they must have adequate detention facilities.”

Mr Sharma said they reached a memorandum of understanding with the Fiji Corrections Services recently allowing the commission to inspect correctional facilities at any time.

“So, we can go in any time to inspect because to inspect a police station or a correctional facility, you need to do it unannounced, that way, you’ll get the real picture.

“If you go in announced, then it might look a lot better than it normally is.”