Unsettling Link Between Low Education Levels and Incarceration Rates in Fiji
There is an alarming and inescapable correlation between low education levels and higher rates of imprisonment in Fiji. This was confirmed by the Superintendent of Corrections, Senior Superintendent Aca Nagonilau, who pointed out that a significant number of inmates lacked basic education skills.
Statistics from the Fiji Corrections Service
The Fiji Corrections Service has revealed staggering statistics that highlight the depth of this issue. Approximately 80% of inmates in our correction facilities have not even finished secondary education – a marker of advanced literacy and numeracy. The figures are concerning, especially as we recognize that education plays a determining role in personal development and social integration.
The Efforts to Improve Prisoner’s Education
The Fiji Corrections Service, aware of this disturbing trend, has taken proactive measures to rectify this dilemma. They have introduced educational and rehabilitation programs designed to provide inmates with basic and advanced literacy and numeracy skills. The intention is to equip them with relevant learning to improve their prospects of avoiding re-incarceration upon release.
Education and rehabilitation programs include Information Technology, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, Language and Literacy, Hospitality, and Personal Development programs. These initiatives aim not only to improve the educational attainment of the inmates, but also to ensure that they have the tools necessary to successfully reintegrate into society post-incarceration.
Role of Education in Reducing Recidivism
Education has long been considered a significant factor in reducing recidivism, or the likelihood of a person to reoffend. The introduction of these educational initiatives within Fiji prisons is a strategic move towards reducing re-incarceration rates. By providing these individuals with the foundation to improve their lives, there is hope that upon release, they would less likely fall back into patterns of criminal behavior.
Senior Superintendent Aca Nagonilau expressed his belief in the power of education, stating, “Education is the key that unlocks doors of opportunities”. He further asserted that inmates equipped with relevant education and skills would have improved chances in leading a crime-free life post-incarceration.
A Call for Community Support
However, it is essential to acknowledge that systemic changes require community support. Senior Superintendent Nagonilau encourages potential employers to consider hiring former inmates who have undergone these programs, to help aid their integration back into society.
This significant issue calls for a collective community effort. The correlation between education and crime rates should propel our society to rethink education’s accessibility, especially for at-risk individuals, and the role of rehabilitation in our correctional system. By addressing these issues, we create a safer, more inclusive society for all of us.
Source: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/troubling-correlation-between-education-jail/