Prisons

The French High Commission said inmates would instead be allotted phone time to communicate with their friends and families.

The High Commission said some inmates might be released early, but that would not be considered if the individual was a risk to the public.

Last month, France was found guilty in the European Court of Human Rights of breaching the human rights of prisoners in Tahiti by treating them in a degrading manner.

These innocent victims of crimes committed by their mothers spend up to three years in jail until they are released back into the communities with families.

They eat what is basically served to older inmates – a diet that consists of staple foods. 

The Bomana correctional institute outside the nation's capital is no different.

With a female population of 30, it currently has two toddlers under the age of 3 who are under the care of their convicted mothers.

Without the holding cells and prisons operating, the criminal justice court system cannot work effectively, says Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia.

He said that there are provinces that do not have fully functional jails and people should be concerned, as the courts are as well.

“If these things are not addressed by the executive government, fully, then the courts may be compelled to take their own actions, to ensure that provincial jails are established in each province and they are fully functional.