Inmates receiving Christmas gifts from the Prison Fellowship on behalf of their children


Inmates and officers of the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service (FPCS) Medium, Minimum and Korovou visit welcomed Christmas morning with a surprise when the FPCS Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua paid them an early visit.

Accompanied by his Media Liaison Officer PPO Fred Elbourne and Assistance Media Officer POC Josefa Matau the Commissioner took time to meet officers that were on duty, inmates preparing breakfast and members of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church.

The members of the SDA Church were at the Medium and Maximum facilities to provide breakfast for the inmates, an event that they carry out annually on Christmas morning.

During his rounds, the Commissioner spoke to inmates and answers some of their concerns.

Brigadier Naivalurua explained procedures on Extramural Punishment (EMP) and told them that four things are considered when considering EMP.

“When considering EMP there are four things that we must consider; one - is it in the best interest of society, two – is it in the best interest of the victim, three – is it in the best interest of the inmate and lastly if it is in the best interest of the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service.”

The Commissioner told the prisoners that they themselves will also know, whether they are ready or even qualify for EMP.

Brigadier General Naivalurua also explained to the inmates that he met on the new arrangement between the Ministry of Social Welfare and FPCS regarding the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP).

He told them that only those that have genuinely changed for the better will be assisted under the PAP.

“Not all of you will benefit from this fund, it will not be like before where just being an ex-prisoner makes you qualify, the $100 000 allocated will only be given to those that have changed and shown that they have the capability to use the grant to better their families livelihood.”

The Commissioner wished the inmates a merry and blessed Christmas and told he hoped that they enjoyed the Family Day that was organised by the FPCS.

The FPCS held Family Day events in all institutions around the country with selected senior officers from FPCS Headquarters sharing lunch with the inmates.

This Christmas the FPCS for the first time allowed the families of persons awaiting trial to spent some time and have lunch together.

Another special feature was the handing over of Christmas gifts by the inmates to their children.

Gifts for the inmates’ children were made possible through the kind assistance of  Post Fiji, The Fiji Times, Prison Fellowship, Public Service Commissioner and friends.



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