The Fiji Corrections Services commissioner, Colonel Ifereimi Vasu has stressed that family values and education is important for individuals to make right decisions and not to partake in illegal activities.
The Corrections Service has identified heavy alcohol consumption by youths and adults as a major contributing factor to the high prevalence of crime in the country.
Colonel Vasu urged families and the communities to assist the Fiji Police, Ministry of Health and the Fiji Corrections Services in the fight against the consumption of alcohol that leads to crimes.
Colonel Vasu highlighted that the Corrections Services has brought professionals to counsel and identify problems and to assist inmates in solving problems.
Colonel Vasu said that family values, backgrounds and upbringing of individuals is a major factor to behaviour that leads many to commit crimes.
“A prevalent factor as to why many commit crimes is because of their upbringing, many are from broken families and are affected emotionally all their lives, resulting in wrong choices to partake in illegal activities,” Colonel Vasu said.
“We have identified that when youths both male and female commit crimes, it is mainly as a result of what has happened in their past from home.
“The prisoners are counselled and weaknesses are identified with possible solutions to the problems shared to the individuals along with the programs from the facilities,” Colonel Vasu said.
Commissioner Colonel also outlined the great need for all young people to have proper quality education from primary to tertiary studies to help make better decisions in life.
“I stress the importance for our children to strive in excellence in school and to be educated and be able to choose what is right and wrong to make the right decisions and choices,” he added.
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