Community mentors needed for ex-offenders
“Those in the community, we regard them as mentors.”
Wednesday 25 June 2025 | 19:15
Updated 08 August 2025 | 15:33 FJT
Yellow Ribbon project officer Saimone Baleiwai. Photo: Kaneta Naimatau
The Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) cannot rehabilitate ex-offenders alone and needs community mentors to assist in the reintegration process, says Yellow Ribbon Project officer Saimone Baleiwai.
He said this during the Matabose ni Tikina at Nausori Village on Friday while outlining the FCS through care programme.
“The FCS cannot do this work alone, because we need assistance for this, because the in-care programme is towards the after-care,” Mr Baleiwai said.
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“Those in the community, we regard them as mentors.”
He said the FCS handed all ex-offenders to community mentors to guide and help them in spiritual enhancement, work skills and general life concepts.
“We hand all the ex-offenders to them as mentors, to guide them and help them and assist them in every field,” he Baleiwai said.
He said the FCS focused on three core functions including safety, security and through care, with care being divided into in-care and after-care programmes.
“The in-care is basically focused on our vision, which is to bring and train all offenders in our custody to become law abiding citizens of our country,” he said.
Mr Baleiwai said they intend to connect with traditional leaders, provincial councils and churches as their assisting mechanism. He also invited community members to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Walk on July 19 at Nausori.
The Yellow Ribbon Walk is an annual event organised by FCS to raise awareness and promote support for ex-offenders as they reintegrate into society.
The 2.4km walk would start from Cakobau Park 2 along Viria Road towards Kings Road and finish at Syria Park with refreshments and entertainment provided.
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