Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

A Chance to Reform

Judge Paul Madigan of the Lautoka high court has given a Joseva Soqila time to spend with his family after he suspended his 12 month jail term. Soqila tried to break into the Shop and Save Supermarket but was caught when the alarm was triggered. Justice Madigan has given the man time to get his act together and in six months time Soqila will return to see how he will spend the second six months.

I was fascinated with this article in that the accused has 21 previous convictions  in the last ten years with drugs, violence and alcohol, home invasion of premises belonging to others, mostly minor since then. What a way to go Justice Madigan. In the past people like Soqila would have just gotten a jail sentence to be thrown into jail and forgotten. Only to reappear again sometime in the future and the vicious cycle carries on with no real assistance of rehabilitating the felon.

Justice Madigan took into account that Soqila has tried to reform and  thus given him a chance to make that better. With Christmas just around the corner Soqila has to be thankful he can spend time in freedom with his friends and relatives.

Thank you Justice Madigan.