The Lau Provincial Council meeting ended yesterday with a grim reminder on the number of Lauans cur­rently incarcerated in prisons in Fiji.

Newly-appointed chairperson Viliame Gucake said the numbers in the prison system was reflective of the up­bringing, the influence of the church and community and responsibility of parents.

According to figures provided by the Fiji Corrections Ser­vice, 203 Lauans are in the system. 160 have been convicted of some crime while 43 were in remand.

Of the 160, 46 were convicted for robbery and theft related offences, 45 for sexual offences, 11 for murder and four for offences related with alcohol.

Of the 160, only four are women.

Mr Gucake said this was worrying however, the focus should be avoiding this. He said this can be done.

He said the council was also keen to work with the Fiji Corrections Service for rehabilitation of prisoners.

Mr Gucake highlighted that the main issues brought up were transportation and communication.

The earlier part of the morning was the presentation by the Yatu Lau Company Limited where the Lau Provincial Council has a share through Yasana Holdings Limited.

He said the company had made a surplus despite COVID-19 but this was done through stringent cost-cutting measures.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa