The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) rehabilitation and reintegration programs are working with the number of reoffenders down to 27 in 2017-2018 from 72 in 2016-2017, says Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga.
He acknowledged two former FCS commissioners now turned parliamentarians — Ioane Naivalurua and Ifereimi Vasu — for being instrumental in the decline in recidivism.
The A-G said this while delivering his reply to a motion moved in Parliament by Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure to debate the review of the FCS annual report 2017–2018 this week.
“An inmate is considered recidivist if he/she is admitted within 24 months from his or her initial discharge date,” he said.
“For the 2017-2018 period, the FCS had implemented programs and strategies to reduce the likelihood of reoffending behavioural patterns.
“In this regard, it was noted that there was a significant decrease of recidivists whereby 27 was recorded in the 2017-2018 period as compared with 72 in the 2016-2017 period.
“It was also noted that there were numerous programs and activities that were undertaken in conjunction with the FCS existing rehabilitation programs, one of which is the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a program that aims to successfully reintegrate inmates back into society.
“Regarding the rehabilitation programs, the committee knows that out of the 15 inmates targeted for the 2017-2018 period, the FCS managed to secure job placements for 12 inmates.
“It also noted that government had granted a total of $200,000 for the Yellow Ribbon Project to assist the FCS in raising community awareness throughout Fiji.
“Regarding the capital projects and activities, it was known that the 2017-2018 period, the FCS engaged in works to improve infrastructure, improve corrections enterprises, and improve corrections services.
“So over the years, we have seen a move away from kept in custody to other areas where they can be meaningfully utilised, giving the special skills that they have before they were admitted, or the skills that they picked up whilst in the services of the FCS.”
