THEY sacrificed their sleep and travelled along the gravel Buca Bay highway in Cakaudrove yesterday to be part of the Labasa Corrections Centre inmates family day.
The group of men from Loa Village defied the long travel at 6am and spent more than $20 each to reach the centre in Vaturekuka, Labasa to see their two relatives who were serving their sentences at the centre.
Speaking on their behalf, Tikoitoga Biutitamana said it was their own initiative to pay a visit to their relatives.
"We didn't want to think of the long travel and the high cost of fare because we really wanted to see our brothers," he said.
"I was initially a former offender and I know how it feels not to be visited by our loved ones and this was the motivating factor behind our visit.
"Even though we didn't bring a lot of food, I believe our presence here will spawn joy and happiness to our brothers." Mr Biutitamana said the families of the inmates could not visit them because of transport problem and the long distance travel.
"Our visit here is significant because we want to tell the inmates they are forgiven and will be accepted back into society once released."