As the iTaukei continue to make up the largest population in Fiji’s prisons with 2,185 inmates, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs has been working closely with the Fiji Corrections Service to support the rehabilitation of inmates after their release.
Deputy CEO of the iTaukei Affairs Board, Josefa Toganivalu told fijivillage News that every province is carrying out a program called the Care Network, which focuses on rehabilitation initiatives to help former inmates reintegrate into society.
Toganivalu says they have seen positive changes in villages through this programme, as former inmates are being accepted back into their communities.
He says they are often provided with land for farming and encouraged to participate in community activities, helping them feel a sense of belonging.
He also highlighted that many iTaukei inmates come from urban areas, and the Ministry has introduced an initiative called the Urban Services Unit, which conducts profiling of iTaukei living in urban communities.
