Members of the public are invited to be part of this year’s Yellow Ribbon Walk that is schedule tomorrow in Suva.

The event is part of Fiji Corrections Service’s continuous effort to raise awareness and engage the community in giving ex-offenders a second chance at life and to inspire a ripple effect of concerted community action to support ex-offenders and their families.

To champion this cause, those attending are requested to wear yellow in support of second chances.

Director Rehabilitation, Isireli Dausiga said there has been a major improvement and change in mindset since the concept was implemented in terms of how ex-offenders are perceived.

“The Yellow Ribbon programme has been used to seek the forgiveness of ex-offenders from the community and to offer them a second chance in life. While offenders serve their sentences in prison, they in reality go through another prison on their release because of the negative stigma associated with background as former prisoners,” Mr Dausiga said.

“This has often constrained the ex-offenders desire to be re-integrated back into society, as the stigma associated with their status often blocks the windows of opportunities that may come their way.”

“However, this concept is beginning to change the way people look at ex-offenders and we are certain that improvement will continue,” Mr Dausiga said.

The annual event will begin at Albert Park from 5am and will end at Ratu Sukuna Park at around 7am.

Source: Fiji Corrections Service

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj