By MAIKELI SERU
More inmates of the Fiji Corrections Service had been deployed to help cut sugarcane during this crushing season.
Corrections Service spokesperson Ana Tamani said 20 inmates from Suva were moved to the West yesterday to help in the harvest.
“The 20 are from the Nasinu Corrections Centre and will be accommodated at the Ba Corrections Centre,” Mrs Tamani said.
“Next week, another 20 from the Suva Corrections Centre are expected to move down to Lautoka to assist with cane cutting there.”
She said those enlisted for cane cutting were those with good behavior and did not have any pending cases.
As part of the Yellow Ribbon Project rehabilitation programme, the inmates will be paid for their labour.
This is to help them earn some money when they are released and help them make a fresh start beyond the prison walls.
“This way inmates get to contribute to the sugar industry and the Fiji economy in a small way,” she said.
Seventy inmates are cutting cane in Labasa, 21 in Ba and 50 in Lautoka.
Commissioner of Corrections Lieutenant-Colonel Ifereimi Vasu talks to inmates who had been deployed to help cut sugarcane in the Western Division. Photo: FIJI CORRECTIONS SERVICE