Corrections chief Lt. Col Ifereimi Vasu in talks with Suva Special Administrator Chandu
Umaria at SCC.

Inmates will soon help out in maintaining Suva’s Albert Park, Thurston Garden and the Suva foreshore as part of its civic pride activities.

This was decided after a fruitful meeting this afternoon between the Commissioner of Corrections Lieutenant Colonel Ifereimi Vasu and Suva’s Special Administrator Chandu Umaria.

During discussions, Mr Umaria confirmed that the SCC has offered to assist the Fiji Corrections Service by employing inmates and at the same time support the Yellow Ribbon initiative.

“We can assist you by involving inmates in some projects and then pay them,” Mr Umaria said.

“And what we can do is provide the brush cutters,” he said.

Inmates will also be involved in cleaning up suburbs around Suva but all this will be confirmed once details are finalized.

The Yellow Ribbon initiative is a vehicle to create awareness within the community of the need to give offenders a second chance.

Lt. Col Vasu was pleased with the support and confirmed that discussions on this would continue.

“Inmates in Labasa, Ba and Lautoka are engaged a lot in civic pride and we want to do the same for Suva,” Lt. Col Vasu said.

The SCC has also offered a space at the Suva Municipal Market for the FCS to sell its root crops, vegetables, bread and eggs.

“There is a huge demand for bread from the FCS and this avenue can help you sell it to customers,” Mr Umaria said.

Lt. Col Vasu has also welcomed the idea.

www.corrections.org.fj