Members of the Sigatoka community were urged to give ex-offenders a second chance and to show them compassion.
This was in the message delivered by the Kalevu of Nadroga, Ratu Sakiusa Makutu at the official launch of the Yellow Ribbon programme today.
Ratu Sakiusa said, “ex-offenders should see the yellow ribbon project as an opportunity to begin a new lease in life and to be a changed person”.
“Re-offending should not be an excuse to go back to prison, however former inmates should learn from their mistakes by utilizing available resources in their communities like land to get employment,” he said.
“The community should use this opportunity to learn more about the yellow ribbon programme and integrate into their communities because ex-offenders are also part of our communities.”
The Fiji Corrections Service assistant commander western Oliver Fisher said the service needed the support of the community and through this launch they aimed to create more awareness as well as reduce the number of inmates entering prisons.
“The programme has three main objectives; they are acceptance, awareness and action. Fiji is still in the awareness stages where FCS aims to reach out to communities, then educating people on the importance accepting ex-offenders into our homes,” Mr Fisher said.
Fiji Corrections Service has introduced rehabilitation programmes like farming and small business entrepreneurship for ex-offenders to be assisted in areas of employment.
Mr Fisher said these programmes would help ex-offenders not to re-offend and was one way, in which they could better utilize their time.
Schools, government ministries and non-governmental organizations were part of the launch, which started with a march led by the Fiji Police band through Sigatoka Town.
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