The Commissioner of Fiji Prisons & Corrections Service Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua addressing Headquarters Staff


Yesterday (Tuesday, February 09) the staff and officers of the National Headquarters of the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Services (FPCS) were given a glimpse of the bigger picture on where their Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua wants to position the prison service by 2014.

Delivering his intent for 2010, the Commissioner laid it all out to his headquarters’ staff that this year until 2014, nothing but excellence will be accepted.

Standard

“The theme for 2010 is the relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Our role at headquarters is service, we must have the heart to serve those out in the field

“We must be mission-orientated and result focused.

In a motivating delivery, the Commissioner told his staff of the high expectations of standards and how in military history, the standard was always held high at the fore of the battle.

“During a battle, the standard is always held high, if it falls, someone else quickly picks it up – the standard is always at the front, motivating the troops on.

“Standard is at the excellent level, you must rise up to the standard, the standard will never lower.”

On improving work standards, the Commissioner told his staffs that work never changes, only the way it is approached.

“The expectation from now on will be high; we have to be innovating in our approaches.

The work that we are doing is about saving lives, it is not an easy job, but it is a noble and honourable one.

“This year, no excuses will be tolerated.”

Last three years

Brigadier General told his support staff the journey over the last three years had been hard.

He said that the FPCS had achieved many things.

“We have made big leaps in moving forward.

“We now have the capability to plan operations, execute, sustain and plan again for future operations.

“It is now a totally different picture from three years ago, it has come to a stage now where we are supporting other Government agencies and organisations.”

“Three years ago, when I initially came in, there were a thousand and one things that needed to be done, however I identified five areas that needed addressing;
1. This institution accepts low standards
2. Relationships among the staff and officers were very superficial
3. There were big gaps between the leaders and subordinates
4. The institution was very inward looking
5. There was no mentoring, teaching or training.

“Everything that we have been doing has had a purpose; we have been fighting at many battle fronts and won many of them.”

However the Commissioner of Prisons also told his staff that there were still many gaps.

Areas of concern

On areas of concern, the Commissioner said that abuse of power will never be tolerated and the lack of knowledge or ignorance will not be accepted as a valid excuse.

“We are at a new order, the Government has given us a budget of $14.9 million and they expect us to keep the community safe from those under our care, they want us to look after the inmates, change the inmates and release them back into society as better persons.

“Do not make excuses or blame others, if you know that you are doing wrong or have done wrong, make a change for the better.

The Commissioner challenged his HQ staff to make a declaration, to look at where they are now and at the end of 2010 to relook at what they achieved.

Family

“It is very important that we look after our family.

“Family ethos and values are very important.”

Brigadier General Naivalurua told his officers that as parents, they all wanted the best things for their families.

“We all want the best for our children, but there will be the day when you will have to release your kids into the world and you can only do that confidently if you have prepared them well.

“The things we want for our children are;
1. A good education
2. Good job
3. A happy family.

The Commissioner told his officers to that it is very important that they give their children all the opportunities in life.

“Now one of the prerequisites of getting a job is computer literacy, all our children must have access to a computer.

“If you do not have a computer at home for your kids, buy one.

“Do not waste the money on kava or other unnecessary things; make the sacrifice for your children.

Commissioner of Prisons and Correctional Services Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua, ended his briefing to his HQ staff by wishing them and their families all the best for 2010.




www.corrections.org.fj

Other February 2010 News