We must break the perception of a second prison and the stigma that ex-offenders go through so that they can be fully welcomed back into their homes and communities.
These were the words of Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate while speaking to the officials from private and public Organizations that were present at the inaugural Yellow Ribbon Employment Expo.
Usamate says that this cannot be done by the Fiji Corrections Service alone and adds that they will need to work together in the successful re-integration of ex-offenders into society.
He also adds that in 2008, the rate of repeat offenders was at 39% and in 2009, this number has drastically plummeted to 7.9% and this had fluctuated between 7.9% and 3% until 2017.
From 2017 until 2018, the rate had dropped again to 1.5% and Usamate says this was a fantastic achievement.
He adds this was all due to the introduction of new orders, adoption of new rehabilitation framework and most importantly the strengthening of community engagement programs in 2008.
The Yellow Ribbon Employment Expo is held to showcase the types of skills and capabilities of inmates that are about to serve their time in the form of Curriculum Vitae’s.
