It is imperative that younger people are kept out of prisons, says Bua chief Ratu Filimoni Ralogaivau.
The former senator and government minister was part of a panel on Alternative to Imprisonment – Community-Based Corrections’ on the second day of the 2nd Heads of Pacific Islands Corrections Conference. Other members include the chief magistrate Naomi Matanitobua, church representative Rev Tuikoro Kolinisau and ASP Salote Panapasa of the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Service.
Ratu Filimoni says prisons have the potential to increase the criminal behaviour of these young people.
“This is an issue that is being addressed in jurisdiction all around the world and Fiji is not alone,” he says, “but now Fiji has the opportunity to develop a new approach to address the problems.
“The aim of the courts is to identify the problem that is causing the offending behaviour and treat the cause of that offending behaviour so that the criminal behaviour stops. It is not just handing out a punishment – it is trying to stop the offending behaviour from happening again.
“The theory is that offending behaviour in the future may be prevented if the offender is made aware o f the consequences of their actions and the harm caused to the victims.”
Ratu Filimoni says the development of a community correction infrastructure to administer probation and community service will increase the effectiveness of sentencing options available to the courts and provide opportunities for offenders to be rehabilitated in the community.
“Prisoners have families like us and should not be treated any differently after serving their punishment,” he says, “the community needs to give a second chance to ex-offenders and to generate acceptance of the ex-offenders and their families.”