HE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE MACUATA PROVINCIAL YELLOW RIBBON SYMPOSIUM

Ni tiko Saka na Turaga ni Vanua;
Na Mata ni Tikina e na nodatou Yasana o Macuata;
Commissioner - Fiji Corrections Services, Mrs. Salote Panapasa;
The higher echelons of the Fiji Corrections Services;
Representatives of Government;
Representatives from Non-Government Organisations;
Representatives from Faith-Based Organizations;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
Miau sa bula re and a very good morning to you all.
 
It is indeed my honour to be present here this morning on the occasion of the Yellow Ribbon Symposium, facilitated by the Fiji Corrections Service.
 
I understand that this Symposium continues to be a dynamic platform to raise concerns, dialogue, and agree on the way forward particularly on the issue of recidivism and reintegration into society. Since its inception in 2017, the Fiji Corrections Service has partnered with 10 Provincial Councils and three Faith-Based Organizations. This partnership necessitated the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between the parties, outlining the role of each agency in the acceptance of ex-offenders.
 
It is encouraging to note that the Province of Serua, Namosi, Rewa, Tailevu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Nadroga/Navosa, Ra, and Ba have signed the MOU. I have been reliably informed that the remaining four Provinces have yet to sign. Additionally, the following Faith-Based Organizations have also signed the MOU– the Methodist Church, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and the Assemblies of God Church. The 10 Provinces and three faith-based organizations have worked collaboratively with the Fiji Corrections Service in the formation of the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders network or CARE.
 
Distinguished Guests, the recidivism rate over the past 12 years has fluctuated from a high of 7.9 percent in 2009 to 1.50 percent in 2017-2018. In 2018-2019, it was 2.5 percent, while in 2019-2020, it was 1.70 percent. It reduced again to 1.06 percent in 2020-2021 and increased to 1.74 percent in the last financial year, ending 31st July 2023.
 
Allow me to share with you some of the programmes currently in operation that are actively supporting the rehabilitation of prisoners upon their release.
 
The Yellow Ribbon Project has evolved to include initiatives such as the CARE Network. The CARE Network has engaged the services of Provincial Councils and Religious Organizations to assist in the reintegration of reformed inmates, back into society.
 
The Yellow Ribbon Solesolevaki Programme is a community-based initiative targeting rural-based prisoners. This farming-based programme begins whilst the prisoner is incarcerated. It involves the engagement of the vanua, community, church, family, and corrections personnel to utilize available mataqali land to support rehabilitated inmates.
 
The Yellow Ribbon Sow A Seed Programme is a volunteer mentorship initiative that has benefited selected first offenders, male and female. To date, 25 volunteers have been successfully engaged under the Sow A Seed Programme. These volunteers assume the parental responsibilities for many of these offenders, who come from broken families. The programme is designed to eventually reconnect these offenders with their families, and secure education or employment opportunities upon their release.
 
Additionally, the six Enterprise Units operating in Naboro plays a major role in the up-skilling of prisoners in areas such as carpentry and joinery, farming, piggery, poultry, bakery, and tailoring. These Enterprise Units provide the necessary basic skills for securing employment or establishing small business enterprises.
 
It is equally pleasing to note, that a funding allocation for the Poverty Alleviation Project also aims to reduce recidivism. The PAP fund is used for the establishment of small business enterprises for discharged inmates.
 
The Through Care Strategy has also brought about significant advances in reducing recidivism. The Strategy consolidates the numerous outreach community programmes undertaken in the Corrections Service. Under the Strategy, reformed inmates are cared for to their doorstep.
 
Distinguished Guests, a prison is more than just the physical enclosure – concrete walls, razor wire, and monitored screens, all of which are support punitive justice. The other prison is the community, where released reformed inmates may encounter rejection and stigmatization. The key to the second prison lies with the community.
 
The full rehabilitation and reintegration of released reformed inmates require a holistic approach involving the vanua, family and the lotu.
 
The Yellow Ribbon Symposium has been instrumental in the delivery of its rehabilitation services to individuals, and empathy has been, and will continue, to be the cornerstone of the initiative.
 
My key message to the I-Taukei community today is clear – Cohesiveness. With the alarming increase in social ills within our urban and rural centres, it is critical to re-evaluate our support mechanisms, resuscitate the spirit of working together, and strengthen our traditional values, family bonds, and spirituality.
 
Let us not forget that an incarcerated offender carries a set of identities – his own or her own, the church, family, mataqali, and the vanua. Therefore, let us bind to constructively reassess our messages and guidance structures within all of these interconnected units.
 
I wish to take this opportunity to address the Turaga ni Vanua, present here today – As leaders, you have an important stewardship role towards your people. Be firm in your leadership and guide judiciously.
 
May I wish you all a constructive Symposium ahead.
 
May God Bless You. May God Bless Fiji.
 
Vinaka vakalevu.