A Letter from a Naboro Prison Visitor
Dear Walsh,
One of the great untold success stories of this regime is the Yellow Ribbon Programme,the new, humane and Christian approach to rehabilitating prisoners.
I've been visiting Naboro Prison for a long time. I've noticed a general cleanliness in the barracks and surroundings, the wardens more friendlier, yet still firm and professional with the prisoners. The Prisons Department won a quality circle award at the recent Civil Service Awards Night and this is a major achievement. An inmate told me that the changes Prisons Commissioner Brigadier Ioawane Naivalurua brought in are transformational.
This Government may be illegal but it is doing more and better for this country than any democratic elected government. It also has a heart for the poor and disadvantage - something that was lacking with previous administration.
I am writing to you because your blog seems to be the only one that does not say those who report good changes like this are making these stories up. Vinaka. M.
Some Yellow Ribbon Stories
In September, after a lapse of 20 years, Naboro prison revived its Sports Day Competitions. Some 50 inmates from the maximum, medium, and minimum security prisons and pre-release centre took part in the volleyball competition."It is part of our efforts to redirect the energy and focus of the inmates towards useful and productive avenues," said ASP Josefa Kulinidilo, the Naboro supervisor, who also thanked local businesses for supporting the Yellow Ribbon Project that aims to give prisoners a second chance.
Another initiative trains inmates as rugby referees who before and after their release referee games in many parts of Fiji.Thanks to this, the released inmates are help reintegrate in society by playing a positive part in it.
One story was that a prisoner referee student was taken by his warden from Suva to Taveuni on Friday where he spent the night in the police cell. Next day he changed into his ref uniform, refereed the match and returned to the cell for Saturday night and flew with his warden to Suva on Sunday. No one knew he was a prisoner as he was not cuffed or wore prison garb. They allowed him to wear street clothes and only his warden (street clothes) and the police station knew his identity. Asked wshat it felt like like later, the prisoner replied in Fijian saying for the first time in a very long time, he felt that his dignity had been returned at last."
In the last few days prisoners have also been active in helping to clear the mud in Navua Hospital, deposited during Cyclone Mick. Click here, and 23 prisoners sang carols to children at the St Christopher's and Dilkusha Children's Homes.
"We have come away from the key and lock ideology," said prison officer Pete Rokoratu, "and gone into correctional services as part of the rehabilitation process for the prisoners. These prisoners are neglected and deprived so we are fortunate to come out to sing carols for children who are also neglected, deprived and unfortunate." Local businesses paid for the choir's uniforms, chocolate biscuits for the children and donations of $200 to each Home. Full story. Many countries use the Yellow Ribbon symbol differently but a common theme is giving prisoners a second chance.
See Wikipedia and also read about the song Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree.
4 comments:
This is true. During a working trip to Naboro about 3 months ago, we were taken around the hills at the back of the complex to see a vast commercial enterprise being undertaken by the Prison Services. There was roughly 80,000 dalo plants already planted and they are still clearing more hillside for these big undertaking. We were told that as this commercial enterprise roll, the Prison Service will be self reliant and the government will not need to fund their food supply anymore. I also heard that they will then start supplying the major hospitals which seems to drain a lot of funds for the government, and so forth. This is an amazing undertaking and I was very very impressed.
I can just imagine George Speight cheerfully singing Christmas carols for underprivileged children and traversing the countryside performing good works. Is this your idea of a Christmas fairy tale, Croz? It's certainly too early for April Fool's Day. Lol
It is no fairy tale Anonymous (whoever you are). If you go on this website
http://www.corrections.org.fj/ you will learn a lot about what is happening in the Fiji Prisons - Under the Commercialization tab there is Broiler, Poultry, Piggery, Tailor and Joinery. I see they are even doing bee farming programme. The corrections department here in NZ should take a page out of the Fiji Prison book. Fijilive reported many months ago that George Speight is now managing the prison farms. Fiji coup leader manages prison farms: http://www.fijilive.com/news/2009/07/14/18251
July 14, 2009 12:05:00 "Incarcerated 2000 coup frontman George Speight is putting his business skills to good use by managing Fiji’s State-run prison farms.
Military Deputy Commander-cum-Prisons Commissioner Brigadier General Iowane Naivalarua told FijiLive the USA business graduate’s talent is being utilised in jail along with his fellow coup associates......."
Apparantly George Speight is doing a great job of managing the commercial side of the Prison. That is why there are 80,000 dalo plants growing.
It seems that even George Speight, from behind bars, is contributing towards a better Fiji in a positive way. Maybe Anonymous should go visit the prison - he/she might even get a tiki tour run by George himself! LOL
this is a breath of fresh air for fiji esp when prisons or prisoners were not always accepted back into society after their stint! it's a pity that the past govts never had the initiative to start something like this!it's never too late and I would like to thank Brig Gen Naivalurua for his leadership and initiative, to u sir and yr team, a big congratulation & vinaka vakalevu!!!
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