Corrections Conference, An Opportune Time To Share Information, Says Kean
The 37th Asian and Pacific Conference of Corrections Administrators (APCCA) will be an opportunity for participants to gain exposure and share bilateral information.
Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Commander Francis Kean said this during the opening of the conference at the Sofitel Resort and Spa on Denarau Island yesterday.
With representatives from 31 corrections institutions in Asia and the Pacific attending, Commander Kean said central to their discussion was to engage and assist one another on ways to better their services.
“For the participants and corrections office staff this will also will be a great opportunity for exposure, to network and also to understand the integrities of how the corrections service actually operates and evolves not only in Fiji but in the other member countries,” he said.
“The assistance that can be offered bilaterally through the Memorandum of Understanding can be signed – so there is opportunity for member countries to engage on that front and ensure how we can best assist and help each other.
“It is great to see other smaller Pacific Island countries also present; we hope they can take back to their respective countries some of the lessons learnt.”
Meanwhile, Yellow Ribbon Project co-ordinator Mika Waqa said the corrections institution was aimed at finding and implementing solutions that would assist in the minimisation on the ever-growing challenge in our various correctional services.
“The heart of our work is rehabilitation – so tailor made programmes have been provided for the treatment of these inmates,” he said.
“To positively restore life it is important that rehabilitation is prioritised to ensure that when all inmates are discharged they do not go back.
“The safety of our inmates is also vital as we are to ensure that all inmates are treated under the various conventions that the Fiji Correction Service has, so we will have to come up with programmes to ensure that all inmates when discharged do not reoffend and be readmitted.”
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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