It was another quiet mild stone for the Corrections Service.

Fifty officers from the rank and file of the service were attending training courses in different institutions in any one particular week.

“It occurred to me, 50 officers are attending training courses today,” says Commissioner of Prisons, Ioane Naivalurua.

“It shows the progress we are making and the commitment we have put upon ourselves to ensure that we have a trained and professional work environment.”

“We are serious about our theme for this year and that is Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building.”

Of the fifty, ten senior officers attended a three day Change Management workshop conducted by the former chief executive officer of Telecom Fiji, Taito Tabaleka at the Police Academy. Mr Tabaleka is regarded as a leading proponent of Change Management in Fiji.

Ten junior officers have been attending a six-month hapkido course at the RFMF’s Queen Elizabeth Barrack in Suva.

Officers were or are undergoing courses at the Fiji Institute of Technology, the Trade and Productivity Authority of Fiji, and the Staff Training College at Naboro. Other officers are on attachment with the peace keeping forces in Sinai.

Mr Naivalurua says that the training effort will be maintained or even increased to instill pride on the institution as well as broadening knowledge based of the officers.

“The increased investment in education, training and employability of officers and inmates will be compensated by decrease in criminality and anti-social behaviour.”

www.corrections.org.fj