In 1966, two Fijian women made history when they became the first female officers to graduate from the Fiji Prisons Service.
An article published by The Fiji Times on August 1, shares the historic achievement of Makareta Qalo of Rewa and Ane Sogo of Lau who ‘passed-out’ on Saturday, July 31, after completing their training alongside eight men. They were part of the fifth training course organised by the Fiji Prisons Service within two years.
The parade was held at the Suva Gaol and reviewed by A.D Patel, the then Member of Social Services. Those present included the Controller for Prisons, Major W. Morgon, the Commissioner of the St John Ambulance Brigade, Mr W. Donovan, and the Controller-General Prisons in New South Wales, Mr J. Morony, who was visiting Fiji. Prisons officer Ratu Inoke Bainimarama oversaw the parade.
While addressing the new graduates, the then Member of Social Services, Mr Patel, said “attitudes of governments and prisons authorities handling of prisoners had changed remarkably in the recent times.”
He added that while the duty of police and prison officers to protect society remained, the main emphasis inside a prison should be humane rehabilitation of the prisoner.
Speaking about the two new women officers, Mr Patel said they were the first in history of the Fiji Prisons Service to be trained as officers.
“I congratulate them and wish them well in their responsibilities and pioneering work within the Prison Service of Fiji,” he said.
