Ensuring Inmates Get A Second Chance

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya pleaded with Fijians to accept, love and support inmates who have served their time and returned home to be to their families and community.

Ms Tabuya made the plea while speaking to participants of the Yellow Ribbon Walk on Saturday, July 1.

With the theme ‘Walk of Empathy’ Suva’s Albert Park was a sea of yellow as thousands of Fijians, young and old, turned up to show their support for the programme.

Corporate bodies, Government, Opposition members, and families turned out in numbers to support the cause on the day.

For the first time since the inception of the walk, 60 inmates were given the opportunity to also take part.

Ms Tabuya acknowledged Fiji Corrections Service Acting Commissioner Salote Panapasa and former Commissioner Ioane Naivalarua, the founder of the Yellow Ribbon Programme (YRP).

The walk, an initiative of the YRP, began in 2008 to educate members of the community on their roles and responsibilities towards ensuring the successful reintegration of prisoners upon their release.

Participants of the Yellow Ribbon Walk at Albert Park in Suva on July 1, 2023. Photo: Fiji Govt

“Yellow is the colour of love, there are thousands of us here today (Saturday) and I am so thankful to the families who brought their children, the elderly and our people living with disabilities who made an effort to come out this morning to show their unity, love and support for this cause,” Ms Tabuya said.

She said the Yellow Ribbon Campaign has grown from 2008 to date with more than 3000 participants.

Ms Tabuya encouraged Fijians to continue with raising awareness on the campaign, acceptance and more importantly to show these in their actions towards people who did time.

Those who were present included former FCS Commissioners Ifereimi Vasu (Minister for iTaukei Affairs), Ioane Naivalurua, Attorney-General Siromi Turaga and Assistant Minister for Defence, Rakuita Vakalalabure.

Commissioner Panapasa said the stigma of being incarcerated was real and at times could often lead to someone returning to committing crime.

“The main thing is acceptance because that will take away the stigma associated with inmates,” she said.

She said the annual walk was a public awareness and affirmation of the need to give second chances so that inmates may be more secure in their communities.

By: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj