PNG Minister amazed at inmates skills
New recruits march into Naboro
November 4, 2014
PNG Corrections team here to learn
November 6, 2014
The Honorable Minister of Corrections for Papua New Guinea, Mr.Jim Samatab and his official delegation are eager to work with the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) and learn more from them.
During a tour this morning of the Commercial enterprise units of the Fiji Corrections Service based in Naboro, Mr Samatab said that the team is eager to return to Papua New Guinea to spread the message of the great work that is being carried out within the FCS.
“It is exciting for us to see that inmates are totally involved in all aspects of the enterprise units for example in the joinery, tailoring, bakery, poultry, piggery as well as farming,” said Mr. Samatab.
“This is an exceptional showcase of the FCS moving away from containment and more into corrections in terms of teaching the inmates life skills that they can take back with them once released into their communities,” he added.
He also expressed great interest in the infrastructure of the corrections centres especially the Suva Remand Centre.
“Fiji is way ahead of Papua New Guinea in terms of rehabilitation of inmates as well as infrastructure of the corrections centres and we already have plans in the pipeline to build a similar remand centre back in PNG,” added Mr. Samatab.
“We also look forward to implementing some of the programmes that the FCS have like the Yellow Ribbon Programme.”
Meanwhile Fiji Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel Ifereimi Vasu has assured the PNG counterparts, that the FCS will be assisting in every way that they can.
“We are part of the Melanesian group and it is our responsibility as well to assist each other in any way possible and this is for the betterment of both countries. I am sure that Fiji can also learn a thing or two from the Corrections Service of Papua New Guinea,” added Lt.Colonel Vasu.
The official delegation from PNG will also be guests at the launching of the Yellow Ribbon Project at the Valelevu Grounds in Nasinu tomorrow (7th November) before leaving our shores on Saturday 8th November.
