The Fiji Corrections Service is advocating for significant reforms to the Criminal Records Bill 2025 to facilitate the smoother reintegration of rehabilitated offenders into society. During a recent presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights, Samisoni Naba, the Manager of Legal Affairs at the Fiji Corrections Service, emphasized the challenges posed by the current expungement processes. Under the existing framework, inmates often face years of waiting before their criminal records are cleared, which can hinder their ability to secure employment and rebuild their lives.
Naba underscored the importance of reforms in enhancing the reintegration process for inmates. “These reforms play a vital role in the reintegration process of prisoners to their communities and finding employment opportunities that enable them to live an independent life,” he stated. The Corrections Service currently implements a comprehensive three-phase rehabilitation program, focusing on disciplinary training, treatment programs for offending behaviors, and skills development initiatives. By earning vocational certificates through partnerships with institutions like the Fiji National University, prisoners can prepare for a productive future while still incarcerated.
Naba pointed out that the lengthy wait time for expungement, which currently stands at four years after completing rehabilitation programs, can severely delay the reintegration process and restrict job opportunities for released prisoners. To address this issue, the service recommends reducing the rehabilitation period for expungement from seven years to five, and raising the eligibility threshold for expungement consideration from 30 months to four years.
Additionally, Naba proposed that the permanent secretary or a designated committee should evaluate applications for record expungement on a case-by-case basis, guided by rehabilitation reports and good conduct records. He stressed that the new law ought to acknowledge the efforts of inmates during their time in custody, making rehabilitation a critical factor in the assessment process for expungement.
“Rehabilitation should not end at release. It should be measured by the programs completed inside prison, so that when offenders return to society, they are truly ready to reintegrate,” Naba concluded. This forward-thinking approach reflects a commitment to fostering a more supportive environment for reintegrated individuals, ultimately contributing to safer communities and opportunities for former inmates to thrive upon their return to society.
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