FCS invests in Counsellors

20 January 2021

The Fiji Corrections Service continues to invest in the capability of its own with the enrollment of four more personnel in the APTC Diploma in Counselling Program in Suva.

This follows the successful graduation of four personnel in May 2020 for the 12-month program.

The new candidates are experienced Corrections personnel who have had significant counselling experience while working with inmates under their care.

Director of Rehabilitation Senior Superintendent Salote Panapasa said this new undertaking with APTC adds a lot of value and weight to the work of rehabilitating inmates.

“This strengthens the individual officer or personnel in the work they do and helps them relate and respond better to the needs of those under our care,’’ SSPT Panapasa said.

“In a nutshell, this improves our capability overall as these officers when they graduate will assist our counsellors and psychologists on the ground by helping change the attitudes and mindsets of inmates.”

The course prerequisites requires applicants to have had some experience in the role of counselling with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling models.

“The work of a Corrections Officer in itself requires each to have counselling skills which is usually modified over time due to work experience and constant interaction with inmates,’’ Panapasa adds.

“Our work is to help solve problems and giving solutions when inmates are under stress from incarceration or from things happening in their homes and this program with APTC will help add value to that kind of work we do and give it more impact.

Graduates of this course receive an internationally recognised Australian Qualification issued through TAFE Queensland.

Those that graduate last year are PCO Samuela Tavite, COB Panapasa Tuimagodro, COA Selevasio Goneivalu and PCO Panapasa Namoko.

Meanwhile, training will be delivered face to face. Students must attend full time (8.30am – 5pm) for 12 months covering five blocks.

Each block covers four weeks which is then followed also by another four week break (between each block) where they will be conducting practical work with the FCS Rehabilitation team. They will assist the FCS counsellors and psychologists.

The successful candidates selected to under-take this 12-month program which began on January 11 are COA Esava Ravula from Labasa Corrections Center, COB Ilivema Marama, Lautoka Women’s Corrections Center, COB Iowane Waqalevu, Nasinu Correction Centre and COB Sakiusa Bulivakarua of Pre-Release Center.