The first of its kind in Fiji, the Restorative Justice Workshop hopes to attain greater heights through the Correctional Services in Fiji.

Deputy Commissioner Prisons Mr Auta Moceisuva confirmed that the Workshop is an extension of the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Mr Moceisuva said it is an attempt to mend the dents been made to the offenders, victims and their families.

The one day Restorative Justice workshop held at Korovou Prisons largely involves the entire criminal justice system.

“This workshop is not to try and come out with something concrete and will be instantly implemented but in fact it is just an awareness and an opportunity to approach Restorative Justice a bit more seriously with conscious co-ordination and corporate commitment from key stakeholders”, Mr Moceisuva said.

The Deputy Commissioner said this will enable the stakeholders to know each other through participation and sketch frames to help the Correctional Services for further discussions in future.

He said there are potentials for Churches, NGOs or even as individuals to be useful players in the processes of rehabilitation and restoration.

“The Restorative Justice Workshop is just another step further and another key outcome is that we will be able to identify the interest , available resources, challenges and aspirations and how we can mould all these variables into an actionable framework”, Mr Moceisuva said.

The Workshop is more in the nature of awareness and education as the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Mr Moceisuva said the Correctional Services is glad to host the Restorative Workshop as it gels in well with the objectives of the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Commissioners intent to successfully allow reintegration and restoration of offenders back into the community.

Sharila Lazarus
Information Officer
Attorney-General’s Chambers