Superintendent Salote Panapasa delivering her keynote address during 
the celeberation of International Women's Day last week.

When an inmate is due to be released, Correction officers must always ask themselves what exactly they have done to change that person.

They must ask themselves what contributions have they made in making that someone a better son or daughter to his mother.

These were the words of senior Corrections officer, Superintendent Salote Panapasa while being chief guest during the International Women’s Day celebration at the Fijian Teachers Association hall in Suva last week.

SP Panapasa said those under the care of the FCS are often stigmatized by the public at large because of the crimes that they have committed.

“…but we think otherwise. They may have gone off track and due the lack of support from families, churches and community, we are the last bastion.

“Women in the FCS have one foot in the doorway leading to higher and full participation and recognition,” SP Panapasa said.

She said the history of women officers in Corrections unearths a journey marked with patience, perseverance and resolve.

“Women, as in other work fronts have had to endure harsh and unfair conditions and practices prior to reaching this point,” she added.

SP Panapasa is the first female to take up the post of Supervisor, Central Eastern Division and is responsible for the Suva, Women, Nasinu and Levuka Correction Centres.

www.corrections.org.fj