Suprintendent Salote Panapasa during a presentation at the FPCS Head Quarters, Civic House.

FOR the first time, the Fiji Prison and Correctional Service has a new female superintendent.

For decades since the establishment of the prison service in Fiji, women officers rose only as far as principal prison officer while men dominated the senior posts.
Fiji Prison spokesman Fred Elbourne said Salote Naulivou Panapasa was given the rank of superintendent last week by Prisons Commissioner Brigadier Ioane Naivalurua, who saw that women could perform equally as well as men in the decision-making process.

Mr Elbourne said 69 male and female officers would be promoted around Fiji.
He said the promotions did not only recognise their hard work but the essential key roles they would have to play when faced with challenging decision-making situations.

SP Panapasa said she was honoured to be selected. She joined the service 24 years ago was a sergeant for the past 15 years.
"As the first woman superintendent, I have to set a standard for the rest to follow," she said.

SP Panapasa said the commissioner's decision would encourage other women officers within the service.
SP Panapasa said there were very qualified and educated women in the service. "We women can be part of decision-making discussions, just like we do at home as mothers," said the mother of three.

SP Panapasa said her responsibilities would involve setting up a framework for rehabilitation of prisoners and tackling the high recidivism rate in the country.

She said the team was working on a new reform plan for the rehabilitation of prisoners and training, and development of staff.
She said the structure should be ready by July.

SP Panapasa said the structure included phases to control inmates that go in and out of jail.

"The sentence planning team would be established to assess inmates on their needs, their risks, character and weakness," she said.

"In the past inmates were just thrown in to what ever responsibility/jobs required, whether it be the kitchen or outdoor work," she said.  



 Source: www.fijitimes.fj.com