Temalesi Vakaotia participated in the Yellow Ribbon Project walk in Suva yesterday in anticipation of her son’s release from prison soon.

Her son, Eparama will be released from Korovou Corrections Centre on December 12, after completing his three year term.

“I cannot wait for the day I see him home and I am very excited,” Ms Vakaotia said.

She said the walk project was emotional and she was happy that she took part in it with her family members.

“I was depressed when he was taken to prison. We still supported him no matter what. He is my eldest son and the first child in our family to go to the prison,” she said.

Ms Vakaotia said she often visited him and saw he was remorseful for his crime.

“He will never be neglected because I am a mother and he deserves a second chance. My son told me that he was sorry, but I told him that I will never disregard him because I believed in him from day one.”

She said the law was the law and something everyone had to uphold.

“I am not embarrassed to say that my son is an inmate because nobody is perfect and instead of demoralising them, we should give them another chance and show them love and care,” she said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback: shreeya.verma@fijisun.com.fj