SOME villages in Macuata have turned their backs on men and women returning home after years behind bars, according to the province’s care committee member, Ranadiceva Raluna.
Ms Raluna said in a recent incident, a former prison inmate was rejected by his own community upon release.
“The man had served his time and was ready to start afresh, but when he returned home, his village refused to accept him,” she said.
“A senior pastor had to intervene and plead with the villagers to take him back. If our own families and communities will not accept them, then who will?”
Ms Raluna said such rejection only deepened the struggle of ex-prisoners trying to rebuild their lives and could drive them back into a life of crime.
“There are currently 48 people from Macuata serving time behind bars.
“Most are at Vaturekuka Prison in Labasa, while 10 are at Korovou, which has the second-highest count.”
Ms Raluna called on families, church leaders, and village elders to show compassion and understanding, reminding them that rehabilitation does not end behind prison walls.
“Everyone deserves a second chance.
“When we shut our doors on them, we are shutting the door on change.”
