Fiji recorded the lowest recidivism rate in the past 10 years, says Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing Inia Seruiratu.
Speaking at the opening of the Yellow Ribbon Employment Expo at the FMF Gymnasium in Laucala Bay yesterday, he said recidivism rate dropped from 79 per cent in 2009 to 1.06 per cent in July last year.
“A major contributing factor to the reduction of recidivism is the standard of our community engagement programs through the inaugural launch of the Yellow Ribbon Project in 2008 plus initiatives like the Yellow Ribbon Program Employment Expo,” he said.
Out of the 50 expo candidates displaying their trades at the event, 33 are current inmates while 17 were former offenders.
The 50 participants displayed their capabilities for employment opportunities in farming and poultry, tourism and hospitality, finance, electrician, transport and engineering, security and construction.
Director of rehabilitation senior superintendent Salote Panapasa thanked the business stakeholders for showing interest in the event and coming in numbers.
“We’re so thankful to have the presence of business companies who have been working very closely with us since the launch of this expo four years ago.
“We have awarded them with some awards just to thank them for the support they have rendered to us and for the employment opportunities they have granted to those who have served.”
She said four new companies had granted employment to inmates under the Early Release for Employment Scheme.
