Regional correctional leaders have been recommended the Yellow Ribbon Project as a fitting rehabilitation programme by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama when opening the 2nd Heads of Pacific Islands Corrections Conference in Suva.
Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says that it was also fitting that Mr Desmond Chin of the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprise to launch the Yellow Ribbon Project in Fiji as the concept was borrowed from Singapore.
“Yellow Ribbon is about acceptance and giving a second chance to someone who may have done wrong in law. The idea to establish the project was mooted due to the overwhelming instances of relapse into previous undesirable type of behaviour, especially crime by ex-offenders.
“Fiji’s recidivism rate is about 50 percent and has remained at that level for the last 10 years.
“Perhaps it was due to lack of public support that most offenders felt alienated from society. Fearing this and to seek solace, the only place comfortable for ex-offenders was back in prison with their peers.
“The three underlying objectives of the Yellow Ribbon Programme are awareness, acceptance and action targeted towards families, the public and employers. Unless there is acceptance, full integration of prisoners back into society and for them to live as law abiding citizens may not be successfully achieved.”
The four-day conference which coincided with the launch of the Yellow Ribbon Project is from October 13-16, 2008 at the Forum Secretariat in Suva.