A criminal investigation has been launched into the release of a female inmate twice this month, as confirmed by Commissioner of Public Safety, William Bill Haleck, who said this should not have happened.

The inmate in question is Fuala’au Tuua who was released from jail on two separate occasions to attend the signing of a family business contract with the Federal Aviation Administration for landscaping. This led to complaints from other female inmates, who expressed anger to Samoa News about the favoritism they feel is being played.

Last week Warden Fo’ifua Fo’ifua told Samoa News that Tuua made the request, the prior week to attend this “very important business transaction with her parents, who are Samoa citizens, as the business license is under the inmate’s name.” He also pointed out that as long as there is a police escort, the inmate can be released, but only in certain cases.

Samoa News received several calls from women who claimed to be inmates, saying that they are not happy with the decision made by the Warden to allow Tuua out of jail, when she’s not on work release. Another call from a family member of one of the inmates claimed that she saw Tuua near her residence in Ottoville.

According to the callers, this is the second time Tuua was released from jail — once last week and once again yesterday morning.

“We are looking into this matter, and CID (Criminal Investigation Division) is conducting their investigation. They should’ve known better than to release an inmate who is not supposed to be released,” was the frustration aired by the Commissioner in a phone interview with Samoa News.

He further noted, “You and I both know that this should have not happened at all.”

Samoa News contacted the TCF and spoke to Lt. Fasi Ta’ase, who confirmed that Tuua was released last week by permission of the Warden, but this second release he allowed upon her request to assist her family in some paperwork for their family business.

Lt. Ta’ase told Samoa News over the phone that he allowed this release based on her request, and that this would be the last time this would happen.