TWO NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR CORRECTIONS SERVICES COMMISSIONED BY PM BAINIMARAMA-(15-10-2021)

Suva- The servicemen and women of the Fiji Corrections Services (FCS) will now be able to practise their faith in quiet contemplation following the commissioning of their refurbished inter-faith chapel yesterday afternoon.

Also commissioned by the Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, was the FCS transport office.

In his address, the Prime Minister revealed that the new inter-faith chapel was self-funded by the FCS officers while Government provided funding for the transport office.

"The former shows the commitment of the FCS to its communities of faith, and the bonds between its officers, and the latter shows the commitment of your Government to the vital service you all offer the nation," he said.

"Effective institutions require both forms of commitment to function at their highest level. The values of excellence, service, and camaraderie must echo through your ranks as well as be espoused by your leadership and Government and that is what we celebrate today.

"To fix up your old chapel, the staff of the FCS raised over $140,000. The doors of this new chapel are now open to your servicemen and women of all faiths who seek to pray within its walls and this new $142, 245 transport office which is funded and built by your Government, will be a new logistical hub for the FCS, as well as a home away from home for your officers."

Prime Minister Bainimarama, also applauded the FCS on its efforts to stay on track to vaccinating all of its officers and also its support towards our national COVID-19 response.

He also thanked the FCS for its continued efforts in re-integrating offenders back into our society.

"We are striving for a criminal justice system, and a corrections service, that succeeds in making a safer and more compassionate country. You are the Fiji Corrections Service and the service you offer is the re-integration of those who have been imprisoned back into society. I'm very proud that over a two-year period, the recidivism rate for the FCS is only 1.06 percent- one of the lowest in the world.

"We see that success in the many Fijians who have served their sentences fairly and who go about their lives peaceful, law-abiding Fijians."