iTaukei dominate prison population

The iTaukei community accounts for nearly three-quarters of Fiji’s prison population, according to the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS).

FCS director of training and rehabilitation, Superintendent Isireli Dausiga, revealed the figures during the Lau Provincial Council Meeting in Suva on Thursday.

According to FCS statistics, there are 1650 inmates, with iTaukei making up 74 per cent.

“Of the convicted inmates, 1218 are iTaukei, 364 Indo-Fijians and 11 are Rotumans,” Superintendent Dausiga said.

He said sexual offences were the most common convictions, accounting for 764 inmates.

Christians top the list

Christians accounted for 1368 inmates, representing 83 per cent. Head of Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said the church placed strong emphasis on programmes that strengthen families and young people.

“We celebrate the sacrament of confirmation to initiate young people into adult Christian life. It is a two-year programme,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.

“We also promote post-confirmation programmes to accompany young people and require couples preparing for marriage to attend marriage preparation classes.

“We believe that by doing these things well, we help build a better society and reduce crime.”

The Hindu faith accounted for 194 inmates, followed by Muslims with 78.

Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji national secretary Pandit Krishneel Krishan Tiwari stressed the need for greater community support rather than judgment.

“Crime is often influenced by poverty, substance abuse, family breakdown, unemployment and negative peer influences. We urge our members and the wider community not to stigmatise those who have served their sentences but to support rehabilitation,” he said.

Young adults dominate

Superintendent Dausiga said inmates aged 18 to 35 formed the largest age group, accounting for 40 per cent. He said 657 inmates were aged between 18 and 35, followed by 633 aged 36 to 50.

There were 207 inmates aged between 51 - 60, 116 aged 61 - 70, and 35 aged between 71 - 90.

Superintendent Dausiga said 14 inmates were living with mental health conditions.

“Ten are iTaukei, including one woman, while four are Indo-Fijians,” he said.