COA Julia Tamani during a presentation today  on lessons learnt from Malaysia.

The Fiji Corrections Service will soon explore new avenues for rehabilitating inmates to ensure long-term effectiveness, reduce recidivism and ultimately contribute to a safe and secure society.

This, following a presentation from two Corrections officers who returned from a three-week course in Malaysia bringing with them new ideas that the FCS will gradually adopt and implement.
COA Julia Tamani and COC Viliame Vosamuri presented to the Commissioner of Corrections Lieutenant Colonel Ifereimi Vasu and senior officers this morning.

One of the recommendations the duo came up with was to hold a symposium to identify programme providers for Therapeutic Community, Sex Offender module, Drug offender module, Recidivism module and Young offender module.

An area currently lacking is a Sex Offender treatment program that is aimed at addressing the offending behavior of those convicted of sex crimes.

A symposium to this effect is expected to generate response from the public to this critical need within the FCS and will help develop a focused and coherent effort at systematically addressing this thereby preventing sexual offences.

Director Corporate Services Peniasi Kunatuba said with a Government mandate to reduce recidivism, rehabilitation has taken greater priority in the work of the FCS, particularly with the need to address the behavioural pattern that caused inmates to commit their offences.

“A more customized and systematic approach needs to be adopted in supporting behavioural enhancement for all offenders,” Mr Kunatuba said.

The course, Human Development Plan Towards Rehabilitation of Inmates, was scheduled for November 13- December 3, at the Correctional Academy of Malaysia, Langkawi, Kedah. 

www.corrections.org.fj