Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
22/03/2024 | Press release | Archived content
SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FOR MACUATA PROVINCIAL...
"The Macuata Provincial Yellow Ribbon Symposium continues to be a dynamic platform to raise concerns, dialogue, and agree on the way forward, particularly on the issue of recidivism and reintegration into society."
This was highlighted by His Excellency, the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere while officiating at the Macuata Provincial Yellow Ribbon Symposium held in Labasa today.
District representatives, representatives from women groups and traditional leaders from Macuata were part of the symposium to assist in the reintegration of reformed inmates back into society.
"Since its inception in 2017, the Fiji Corrections Service has partnered with 10 Provincial Councils and three Faith-Based Organizations. This partnership necessitated the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between the parties, outlining the role of each agency in the acceptance of ex-offenders."
"The recidivism rate over the past 12 years has fluctuated from a high of 7.9 percent in 2009 to 1.50 percent in 2017-2018. In 2018-2019, it was 2.5 percent, while in 2019-2020, it was 1.70 percent. It reduced again to 1.06 percent in 2020-2021 and increased to 1.74 percent in the last financial year, ending 31st July 2023."
"The Yellow Ribbon Project has evolved to include initiatives such as the CARE Network. The CARE Network has engaged the services of Provincial Councils and Religious Organizations to assist in the reintegration of reformed inmates, back into society."
The head of state also highlighted that the Yellow Ribbon Solesolevaki Programme is a community-based initiative targeting rural-based prisoners. This farming-based programme begins whilst the prisoner is incarcerated. It involves the engagement of the vanua, community, church, family, and corrections personnel to utilise available mataqali land to support rehabilitated inmates.
"Additionally, the six Enterprise Units operating in Naboro plays a major role in the up-skilling of prisoners in areas such as carpentry and joinery, farming, piggery, poultry, bakery, and tailoring. These Enterprise Units provide the necessary basic skills for securing employment or establishing small business enterprises."
"It is equally pleasing to note, that a funding allocation for the Poverty Alleviation Project also aims to reduce recidivism. The PAP fund is used for the establishment of small business enterprises for discharged inmates."
The head of state further stated a prison is more than just the physical enclosure - concrete walls, razor wire, and monitored screens, all of which support punitive justice. The other prison is the community, where released reformed inmates may encounter rejection and stigmatization. The key to the second prison lies with the community.
"The full rehabilitation and reintegration of released reformed inmates require a holistic approach involving the vanua, family and the lotu."
"The Yellow Ribbon Symposium has been instrumental in the delivery of its rehabilitation services to individuals, and empathy has been, and will continue, to be the cornerstone of the initiative."
He encouraged those representatives to practice cohesiveness. With the alarming increase in social ills within our urban and rural centres, it is critical to re-evaluate our support mechanisms, resuscitate the spirit of working together, and strengthen our traditional values, family bonds, and spirituality.
The Fiji Corrections Service has partnered with 10 Provincial Councils and three Faith-Based Organizations. This partnership necessitated the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between the parties, outlining the role of each agency in the acceptance of ex-offenders.
Provinces of Serua, Namosi, Rewa, Tailevu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Nadroga/Navosa, Ra, and Ba have signed the MOU, but four provinces have yet to sign.
This was highlighted by His Excellency, the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere while officiating at the Macuata Provincial Yellow Ribbon Symposium held in Labasa today.
District representatives, representatives from women groups and traditional leaders from Macuata were part of the symposium to assist in the reintegration of reformed inmates back into society.
"Since its inception in 2017, the Fiji Corrections Service has partnered with 10 Provincial Councils and three Faith-Based Organizations. This partnership necessitated the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between the parties, outlining the role of each agency in the acceptance of ex-offenders."
"The recidivism rate over the past 12 years has fluctuated from a high of 7.9 percent in 2009 to 1.50 percent in 2017-2018. In 2018-2019, it was 2.5 percent, while in 2019-2020, it was 1.70 percent. It reduced again to 1.06 percent in 2020-2021 and increased to 1.74 percent in the last financial year, ending 31st July 2023."
"The Yellow Ribbon Project has evolved to include initiatives such as the CARE Network. The CARE Network has engaged the services of Provincial Councils and Religious Organizations to assist in the reintegration of reformed inmates, back into society."
The head of state also highlighted that the Yellow Ribbon Solesolevaki Programme is a community-based initiative targeting rural-based prisoners. This farming-based programme begins whilst the prisoner is incarcerated. It involves the engagement of the vanua, community, church, family, and corrections personnel to utilise available mataqali land to support rehabilitated inmates.
"Additionally, the six Enterprise Units operating in Naboro plays a major role in the up-skilling of prisoners in areas such as carpentry and joinery, farming, piggery, poultry, bakery, and tailoring. These Enterprise Units provide the necessary basic skills for securing employment or establishing small business enterprises."
"It is equally pleasing to note, that a funding allocation for the Poverty Alleviation Project also aims to reduce recidivism. The PAP fund is used for the establishment of small business enterprises for discharged inmates."
The head of state further stated a prison is more than just the physical enclosure - concrete walls, razor wire, and monitored screens, all of which support punitive justice. The other prison is the community, where released reformed inmates may encounter rejection and stigmatization. The key to the second prison lies with the community.
"The full rehabilitation and reintegration of released reformed inmates require a holistic approach involving the vanua, family and the lotu."
"The Yellow Ribbon Symposium has been instrumental in the delivery of its rehabilitation services to individuals, and empathy has been, and will continue, to be the cornerstone of the initiative."
He encouraged those representatives to practice cohesiveness. With the alarming increase in social ills within our urban and rural centres, it is critical to re-evaluate our support mechanisms, resuscitate the spirit of working together, and strengthen our traditional values, family bonds, and spirituality.
The Fiji Corrections Service has partnered with 10 Provincial Councils and three Faith-Based Organizations. This partnership necessitated the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between the parties, outlining the role of each agency in the acceptance of ex-offenders.
Provinces of Serua, Namosi, Rewa, Tailevu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Nadroga/Navosa, Ra, and Ba have signed the MOU, but four provinces have yet to sign.