Nursing behind bars
Helping and caring for inmates
IT was more than a joyous moment for Josua Tuibabasiga as he completed 12 weeks of basic recruitment training as a Naboro prison warden.
Originally from Vaturova in Cakaudrove, the 28-year-old is married with a son and a new baby on the way.
Josua began his journey as a nurse, shuffling around the corridors of the hospital and providing care for those in need.
He was a nurse at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for several years before applying to be a nurse at the Corrections Medical Centre.
The young lad’s commitment to aiding and caring for the vulnerable was unwavering, but the desire to help inmates not only medically but also in their rehabilitation was stirring within him.
His internal calling coupled with the strong sense of duty to protect and to serve led Josua to embark on a new journey.
“After a year as a corrections nurse, I decided to apply for recruitment in hopes of enhancing my knowledge and understanding of inmates,” he said.
“I believe that this experience will equip me and improve my services to inmates under my care.”
Being confined to barracks for 12 weeks with no contact or update from the outside world, the transition from being a nurse to a prison officer was hard.
“It was a challenge, waking up early in the morning to train, eating half a meal and camping outside in the dark,” Josua said.
The intensive training taught many of the recruits to manage their time, understand the complex landscape of how to defend themselves and most importantly, serve the inmates.
With his background as a nurse and harbouring the spirit of a fighter, Josua excelled in training and in the classroom.
He scooped the commissioner’s trophy for attaining the highest aggregate in theory and winning the honours baton award.
Josua also paid tribute to his family and his pregnant wife who supported him throughout his journey.