Delegates at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting were welcomed to the Lautoka Corrections Facility this morning by Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Auta Moceisuva. During his address, Moceisuva emphasized the pivotal role of corrections in ensuring public safety, facilitating rehabilitation, and contributing to national development—highlighting that these elements are fundamental rather than secondary within the justice system.
Moceisuva discussed the evolution of the Fiji Corrections Service, which is moving away from a traditional custodial approach to embrace a more modern correctional framework that prioritizes rehabilitation, compliance with human rights standards, and community reintegration for inmates. He referenced the United Nations Mandela Rules, underscoring the importance of maintaining the dignity of all inmates, while also ensuring the necessary discipline and security within the facilities.
Furthermore, he outlined several key priorities for the Corrections Service, including the modernization of facilities, enhanced training for officers, the digitization of operational systems, and the expansion of rehabilitation programs. This visit, according to Moceisuva, reinforces Fiji’s dedication to strengthening its justice systems through collaborative efforts within the Commonwealth, signaling a progressive step towards reforming approaches to corrections and rehabilitation.
The focus on rehabilitation and dignity in corrections reflects a positive shift towards a more humane and effective justice system, one that not only seeks to punish but also rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals back into society.