The Corrections Centres in Fiji are overcrowded by 12% as the approved capacity is a population of 2129 however there are currently 2379 inmates in the centres.
This has been revealed by the Director Rehabilitation, Salote Panapasa at the Sow a Seed Program today.
Panapasa says out of the total number of inmates in prison, 571 are between the age of 17 to 25.
She says 474 are remand inmates and 1659 are convicted prisoners.
Under the program, six volunteers have come forward to mentor young offenders between the age of 17 to 25 this year to help them embark on a life changing journey to sow seeds of hope when they get back into the society after serving their time.
One volunteer is based in Labasa, one in Lautoka while 4 are in Suva Correction Centres.
Panapasa says the program was introduced last year when 11 volunteers came forward to assist.
She says the volunteers will be mentoring the offenders for at least two days a week from Monday to Saturday.
Panapasa says through the budget they get $100,000 in each financial year for rehabilitation programs.
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