Some of the highlights:
■ Lack of awareness being carried out in the past.
■ The vanua is trying to dealt and find with root cause of the crime.
■ There is a division between the victim family and the perpetrator, and even ended up split within the Mataqali and villages.
■ More focus is on the victim and not the perpetrator.
Reintegration, she said, was most successful when offenders take responsibility or ownership of their needs, and had strong community involvement or engagement, when they were discharged.
She said the meeting was to hear concern from the ‘vanua’ and to find out the root cause of crime in Ra, and how they could work together in addressing the issue.
We are glad that we came today (Friday) so that they can hear how the FCS conducts its rehab programme and where the vanua stand in the reintegration process of an inmate from Ra when he or she is released back to his or her family and community. Salote Panapasa Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Acting Commissioner
“We are glad that we came today (Friday) so that they can hear how the FCS conducts its rehab program me and where the vanua stand in the reintegration process of an inmate from Ra when he or she is released back to his or her family and community.”
She said community leaders, including traditional, religious leaders and civil society organisations were crucial in assisting former inmates to reintegrate successfully back into their communities after completing their sentences.
“These leaders have strong ties to their communities and can play a role in mediating between ex-offenders and any individual who may have wronged, while also encouraging their active participation in the community as law abiding citizens.
“If our approach is successful, then there will be an improvement.” Adding, this was the first symposium to be carried out in the province, and was happy with the numbers. About 300 people attended the symposium including youth groups, women, church groups, village headmen, district reps, and chiefs.
There are 93 villages and 20 in Ra. districts