Suva inmates who were visited by the Nasinu District Crime Prevention committee.

Don’t look at police officers as enemies, but as friends trying to help you, inmates at the Suva Corrections Centre were told over the weekend.

Station officer Valelevu, Inspector Suka Yabaki made the comment while addressing inmates during a visit by the Nasinu District Crime Prevention Committee.

“Our work as police officers are similar to that of Correction officers where we want to make sure that you come out as reformed people and don’t go back to a life of crime.

“Think about your families, do something worthwhile and make them proud when you come out. Don’t be discouraged, it’s not the end of the road,” Inspector Yabaki said.

Committee chairman Ashwin Prasad said they wanted to explore ways they could work together to ensure that inmates do not return to correction centres after release.

“We support the Fiji Corrections Service’ Yellow Ribbon concept and we want to give a second chance to offenders of Nasinu upon their release,” Mr Prasad said.

The committee provided food items for inmates who were released in 2010 and is this year sponsoring school fees for the children of two ex-offenders.

FCS spokeswoman Ana Tamani said the visit by the committee reaffirmed to the inmates that although they are serving time for their offences, they are still a part of the community and can even change for the better.

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