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About Yellow Ribbon

Proposed Model – Yellow Ribbon Project

Based on a model developed in Singapore, titled the “Yellow Ribbon Project” (YRP), this was conceived out of the need to offer forgiveness and a second chance to ex-offenders. Many of these who sincerely wish to make a fresh start on their release, often face an uphill battle. Their genuine attempts to lead their lives normally have been fraught with obstacles all along the way, due to the stigma associated with their former status. Once their past records are revealed, they are conveniently shoved aside missing out on excellent opportunities to exhibit their genuine desire to make something out of their lives.

The YRP concept was developed out of a popular song of the 70’s, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the old Oak Tree”. The song was based on a real story of an ex-offender, writing to his wife and needing assurance from her, after three years of imprisonment, whether he was still part of the family. In the letter, he informed her that she did not need to wait for him, but if she was still interested, she could let him know by tying a yellow ribbon on the only Oak tree in the City square. As the bus rolled down the road towards the man’s hometown of White Oak, Georgia, he was apprehensive about the reception awaiting him, as were all the other passengers. As they neared the City Square, to the man’s tearful relief, there were hundreds of yellow ribbons on the tree.

Three stanzas from the song sums up the helplessness of the offender and his need for forgiveness from family and the community.

   “I’m really in prison and my love,
          She still holds the key,
      A simple yellow ribbon’s what I need to set me free”

Realistically, all offenders face two prisons. The first reflects the actual prison systems where we hold the key. On release, they enter another prison, which is socially and psychology based. The ‘SHE’ referred to in the song, who holds the key to his second prison is the family, friends, neighbours, employers, colleagues, volunteers, religious groups and the Community at large. In essence everyone else holds the key to this second prison, hence the conception for the Yellow Ribbon Project to address this.

The gaols of the YRP are enshrined within three major themes of activities that need to be pursued under the programme. The first is to create AWARENESS amongst the Community of the need to give second chances to offenders. The second is to generate ACCEPTANCE of the ex-offenders and their families into the Community. The third is to inspire Community ACTION to support the rehabilitation and the re-integration of ex-offenders back into their midst.

The choice of the Yellow Ribbon as the symbol for this project, given the sentiments it represents, was made in the hope that it will turnout to be a self-sustaining community based project. As part of the project, members of the public will be encouraged to wear a yellow ribbon, as a show of their acceptance and their offer of forgiveness and a second chance to all ex-offenders who sincerely desire to change.

Inaugral Launch Of YRP

All activities developed for the project will have to be towards the attainment of these goals. We concede that operationalising these activities on our own will be beyond our capabilities. As it involves the total commitment and resolve of the whole spectrum of the Community to succeed, we are calling on proven and experienced resource people and organizations to assist us in this project. We sincerely believe that all concerned citizens need to pool all our efforts together for this worthy cause.

We are fully aware of your valuable contribution to various community development programmes, exhibiting your compassion and heart for the downtrodden of our society and the under-privileged. We sincerely believe, that with your extensive and comprehensive experience in community programmes, you could contribute tremendously to the development of and the operation of this Project.

The inaugural launch of this project shall be held in Suva in June 2008, in preparation of the major launch of the same in October 2008, when Fiji hosts the Heads Of Pacific Islands Correctional Conference. This launch will be an annual programme with the various elements of the project as ongoing activities of all stakeholders. We look forward to your participation and support.