13th May 2016 Semisi Palu ‘Ifoni Tapueluelu has been appointed as the new Prison Commissioner for the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Fire.
Mr Tapueluelu signed and took his oath of office as the Prison Commissioner in the Acting Prime Minister’s presence, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni and other government officials on Tuesday this week.
Mr. Tapueluelu said that his plans as the new Prison Commissioner aligned with the department’s vision.
“It is the Prison’s Department’s main responsibility to assure the safety of the people in the society and that is to put those that the court has ruled in prison because they can’t control themselves. My intention as Prison Commissioner is therefore rest on the main vision of the department,” he said.
He stated that it was important to limit the criminal activities within the communities because it interfered with the development of the country.
“Although these unlawful acts can never be wiped out completely, it can always be controlled, and that is my aspiration to limit it to give opportunities to the government and the people to ensure the development of the country.”
Hon Sovaleni stated that government supported Mr Tapueluelu and were looking forward to work with him.
“The government views the management and reform of the Prisons as very important and supports Mr Tapueluelu in this key role and we look forward working closely with him.”
Mr. Tapueluelu was a Member of Parliament and has worked as a prisons superintendent before going into politics. His career in national politics began when he was elected from Tongatapu 10 electoral constituency as a MP in the 2010 general election.
END
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications