Inmates performing during their inaugural performance exhibition at the Naboro Corrections Academy

It was a feast of gospel singing, hip hop, black poetry, mime, sigidrigi and oratory at the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Centre (FPCS) Naboro Corrections Academy when 91 inmates from the Creative Writing Arts presented their inaugural performance exhibition to the Commissioner of FPCS Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua and invited guest from Tailevu Provincial Council, FBCL, Fiji Trust, Fijian Education and USP.

Brigadier General Naivalurua said that while he was impressed with the performance, it was not only about how good the show was but it effect upon the lives of the inmates.

“There is really nothing to celebrate; this performance is really about business, the business of life.

The Commissioner said that is was about moving forward and not backwards.

“We can build ten storey buildings, have the best show but if we do not have the mindset, heart and passion to change for the better, then it is all for nothing.

“For you inmates this performance must be about the great and wonderful things that you could do outside of prison with your families.

“Government has shown commitment in providing funds to allow you inmates to do creative writing arts in prison.

“So please use what you are learning here to make a clean break from your old life.

“This institution is about development and growth for people like you, who have fallen off track.

Brigadier General Naivalurua told the invited guest that their invite was not about getting money but about their good heart and understanding of the work being done in prison.

“I welcome you and I hope that when you go back, you will tell people of the good things we are doing here.”

The Creative Writing Arts in Prison programme is coordinated and facilitated by Ms Mary Daya and is made up of inmates from Southern and Central Eastern Divisions.


www.corrections.org.fj

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