Need to Review the Law: A-G to Convicts
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga highlighted the need to review the rehabilitation of offenders (irrelevant convictions) Act 1997.
He made the statement on Friday while visiting the Nasinu Corrections Centre with UNDP Pacific Office Team Leader Effective Governance Revai Makanje Aalbaek and Resident Representative Dawn Del Rio.
Nasinu vocational correction center school director Assistant Superintendent Ryan Peter reiterated inmates undergo training in basic engineering, including refrigeration, fitting, and machinery.
They also learn how to change basic tires.
“I always reiterated with the employers that the best place to invest is prison because these guys can’t go overseas.”
According to the International Labour Organisation, the rehabilitation period for persons over 17 years of age shall be ten years after conviction or completion of penal sentence, and for persons under 17, the period shall be between seven and ten years.
However, Mr Turaga reminded the convicts that Government would not forsake them and encouraged them to become an integral part of society.
He also expressed his willingness to work with recruiting agencies to provide opportunities for those with previous convictions to work overseas under the NEC program, despite the ten-year travel ban.
During the visit, Assistant Superintendent Peter mentioned that incarcerated individuals are unable to go overseas.
However, Mr Turaga said: “Don’t close the door yet because with a recruiting agency, I am working hard so that you can go and work overseas under the NEC programme even though you have records.”
The law is such that people with previous convictions cannot travel overseas for 10 years after their release.