An inmate from the Arorangi Prison was admitted as an in-patient at the Rarotonga Hospital last Friday October 3, after he was found having breathing difficulties.

Prison management confirmed the inmate has pneumonia and other medical complications, and is now in a stable condition up at the hospital, said the Ministry of Corrective Services Secretary Teokotai Joseph.

At the time of the inmate’s sentencing, he had a history of medical problems that dated back some years, it was confirmed.

He was sentenced with his medical condition, along with the medication he required, Joseph said.

In prison, the inmate had complained of having some medical complications and was referred to the hospital by the prison management.

The inmate was then prescribed with medication and at the same time prison management was advised not to issue one of the inmate’s already prescribed medications that he had on him, and that medication programme was prescribed for a period of two weeks, and was to be reviewed on October 10 2021, Joseph said.

“The prison management followed the procedures for urgent medical attention,” Joseph said.

As of yesterday afternoon the inmate was understood to be in a stable condition.