Ratu Epeli Nailatikau at this year's launch of the Yellow Ribbon Project in Suva yesterday.

THE Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service launched its Yellow Ribbon Project for this year at the Suva Civic Auditorium yesterday. 

Deputy Prisons Commissioner Auta Moceisuva said the aim of the launch function was to get stakeholders together and get feedback on the progress of the project since its official launch last year. 

Mr Moceisuva said the function provided feedback and reactions from stakeholders on what they thought of the project and how they could help in its implementation. 

He said the next step was to set up a committee to look at special areas where the former inmates could be utilised. 

The Yellow Ribbon Project was launched last year as a symbol of hope for ex-offenders and their families in Fiji. 

Mr Moceisuva said the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service believed the successful reintegration of offenders was the best guarantee of security to society. 

However, the program also meant that offenders had to demonstrate a genuine desire to change before they could expect society to embrace them. 

Mr Moceisuva said the urgent task was to discuss with stakeholders what could be done to assist with the success of the project. 

Interim Provincial Development Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was chief guest at the launch.

Source: Monika Singh
Fiji Times


Big plans for rehabilitation

Saturday, March 14, 2009 

THIS year's Yellow Ribbon Project will focus on management interaction with corporate/business sponsors to raise awareness and support for the program. 

The theme for the Yellow Ribbon Project this year is "bridges of hope". 

Deputy Prisons Commissioner Auta Moceisuva said there was a plan to create an employment centre to co-ordinate training programs and the possible placement of ex-inmates at different work sites. 

Mr Moceisuva said the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service were overwhelmed with support from society for the project. 

He said despite teething problems the program became the flagship of the service. 

Source: Fiji Times


Call made for awareness

Saturday, March 14, 2009 

THERE is a need to raise awareness among people on what the Yellow Ribbon Project is about, says former agriculture permanent secretary Peniasi Kunatuba. 

He said people needed to be aware of the role of the project and how they could make it work. 

"The community's help is very important for the project to work because they need to understand the importance of ex-offenders to be allowed back into the society," he said. 

Project co-ordinator Isireli Dausiga said the focus on more awareness raising. 

He said there was a need to let the community know of the project's success. 

Source: Fiji Times