THE Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) says it can help address labour shortages in the sugar industry by providing inmate labour to support cane harvesting.
Acting Commissioner Auta Moceisuva said the service already deployed correctional work “gangs” to assist farmers struggling to secure enough workers during the harvesting season.
“We can provide the labour because we have labourers,” he said.
“Sugarcane cutting has been happening and we’ve been helping the farmers because of lack of labour in that industry.”
According to Mr Moceisuva, correctional work teams have helped harvest about 258,000 tonnes of sugarcane since the program began.
Each year, inmate work “gangs” had been deployed to several key cane-producing areas, including Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki and Labasa.
Mr Moceisuva said the initiative allowed the corrections service to contribute to the country’s economic development while also providing inmates with an opportunity to earn income and gain work experience.
Under the arrangement, 60 per cent of earnings were paid to inmates, while 40 per cent was retained by the corrections service to cover administrative costs.
In one case, Mr Moceisuva said, a prisoner serving a life sentence was able to return home with about $17,000 in savings accumulated through work during incarceration.
“With that kind of financial support, they can start something and rebuild their life in society.”
He said such initiatives were part of broader efforts to support rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
