SUVA Lord Mayor Ratu Peni Volavola challenged people at the Yellow Ribbon pre-launch program in Suva not to have lip service and do something to show prisoners we care about them.
"Are we going to do lip service or do something tangible about the way we look and help people in prisons," he challenged.
"Prisoners need love and care and attention from us and how we can holistically embrace them back into society," Ratu Peni said.
The Yellow Ribbon project is an initiative by the Prison Services to encourage members of society to accept ex- offenders and give them a second chance in life.
Ratu Peni told the 300 guests including business people, government representatives and non-government organisations reps that the Yellow Ribbon was an initiative where society is reminded of its responsibility to help rehabilitate prisoners. Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the interim Government supported the initiative by the Prison Services in rehabilitating prisoners.
"Government is giving $200,000 as revolving funds to rehabilitate prisoners and we support the program," he said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also said that the community at large should be forgiving and accept prisoners when they come out of prison.
"Most prisoners do not have any support from families," he added.
Methodist Church vice-president Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu said the program was a paradigm shift for society as we re-examine ourselves on how we can help the Prison Service's effort to combat crime in the country.
