The Ministry of Youth and the Fiji Corrections Service have partnered to support the rehabilitation and upskilling of young inmates in prison facilities across the country.
Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, Meli Nacuva, and Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, solidified this partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Suva on Friday.
The agreement outlines a collaborative effort to foster, promote, empower, and support youth through In Care Rehabilitation and Upskilling Programs for inmates in the Youth category.
The MOU emphasizes a commitment to share expertise and specialists in training and capacity building for youths within correctional facilities throughout Fiji.
Both parties will work together to enhance the welfare of young inmates and contribute to community socio-economic development through a variety of activities and programs, including Empowerment Training, Mobile Skills Training, DEIA initiatives, Sports Programs, Agriculture, and Leadership Training.
The Ministry of Youth will also employ existing youth committees within Provincial Councils, district councils, and village councils to aid in the reintegration of youths released from prison.
To ensure the MOU’s effective implementation, the partners agreed to meet quarterly or as needed to evaluate progress.
They will also share relevant information and data concerning the youth population to bolster collaboration and support for rehabilitation programs.
This partnership signifies a meaningful step towards empowering and supporting youths in correctional facilities, aiding in their successful reintegration into society.