The three members of the Discipline Services Commission paid a visit the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Service to familiarise themselves with the operation of the correctional services. 

The delegation was led by the chairman Mr Inosi Tawakedrau, a former Commissioner of Prisons, and retired civil servant and army officers. He was a former commander of the Territorial Force and retired as full colonel from the army. 

The other members are Mrs Veniana Lovodua, a former school principal, and Mr Paula Sotutu, a former diplomat and social worker. Mrs Lovodua was a former principal of Adi Cakobau School. They were accompanied by the commission’s secretary Mr Filipe Nagera of the Public Service Commission. 

The Commissioner of Prisons, Ioane Naivalurua had a brief for the commissioners at the correctional service headquarters at Civic House before they were taken on a tour of the correctional institutions in Suva, Naboro and Nasinu. They also visited the Tagimoucia Art Gallery at Suva Prison and Women’s Prison where they had morning tea and the Broiler Shed in Naboro where they had lunch hosted by the Supervisor Naboro Prisons. 

Mr Sotutu who has also involved himself in assisting offenders rehabilitate themselves said that working with offenders is an “honourable jon”. 

“It is an honourable job to try and save lives and the job is a blessing one,” he said in thanking the correctional service in hosting them. “It is one of the jobs that the Bible tells the world to do and that is to visit those who are in prison.”