CSSI Participates in Regional Dialogue on Transnational Organized Crime and Corrections

Honiara, Solomon Islands, 16 September 2026, The Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening correctional security, rehabilitation, and regional cooperation following its participation in the Pacific Dialogue on Transnational Organized Crime and Corrections held in Suva, Fiji, from 10-11 September 2026. The Dialogue was jointly convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Fiji Corrections Service.

The regional gathering brought together Commissioners, Heads of Correctional Services and senior officials from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga and Solomon Islands, together with development partners from Australia, Japan and New Zealand, to discuss the growing impact of transnational organized crime on correctional systems across the Pacific.

The Dialogue recognized that transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering and cyber-enabled crime, presents increasing challenges for Pacific correctional services and requires stronger cooperation between corrections, law enforcement, border agencies and national security institutions.

CSSI Commissioner Mr. Mactus Forau said, the Dialogue provided an important opportunity for Pacific correctional leaders to share experiences, learn from one another, and identify practical solutions to emerging security challenges facing prison systems throughout the region.

“The Pacific is facing increasingly sophisticated criminal networks that require coordinated regional responses. For CSSI, this Dialogue was valuable in strengthening partnerships, sharing experiences and ensuring that Solomon Islands remains actively engaged in regional efforts to enhance correctional security, staff capability, offender management and rehabilitation”.

Commissioner Forau said that several key themes discussed during the Dialogue closely align with CSSI’s ongoing efforts to modernize correctional services in Solomon Islands, including intelligence-led corrections, management of high-risk offenders, staff professionalism and integrity, rehabilitation programmes, and the strengthening of information-sharing arrangements with partner agencies.

A significant outcome of the Dialogue was the adoption of the Suva Outcome Statement, a regional commitment that recognizes correctional services as a core pillar in the Pacific response to transnational organized crime and promotes greater Pacific-to-Pacific cooperation. The Statement also highlights the importance of prison intelligence, staff integrity, rehabilitation, offender classification, prisoner health and stronger inter-agency collaboration.

Commissioner Forau welcomed the Outcome Statement and noted that many of its priorities are already reflected within CSSI’s strategic direction and modernization agenda.

“The Outcome Statement provides a practical roadmap for correctional development across the Pacific. Many of the commitments identified are highly relevant to CSSI as we continue to strengthen our capability, modernize our infrastructure and improve outcomes for offenders and communities alike”.

CSSI also participated in discussions on prison intelligence, offender rehabilitation, prisoner classification systems, corruption prevention, staff development, and strengthening regional networks to combat organized criminal activity within and beyond correctional settings.

The Service remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), national security agencies and regional partners to strengthen the safety, security and effectiveness of Solomon Islands’ correctional system.

The Dialogue reaffirmed the importance of regional solidarity and collaboration in addressing evolving security threats and ensuring correctional systems across the Pacific remain secure, professional, and rehabilitation focused.

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CSSI Press

CSSI Commissioner Mactus Forau participating in Dialogue discussions on challenges and way forwards

Staff Officer Mr. Thompson Pada presenting the CSSI Country Paper and Management of High-Risk Prisoners: Regional Exchange on international standards, promising regional practices and challenges.

Commissioner Forau acknowledging the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Fiji Corrections Service for this regional dialogue.

Group photo after the official closing of the Regional Dialogue on Transnational Organized Crime and Corrections in Suva, Fiji.