The Command Group of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS), led by Acting Commissioner Sevuloni Naucukidi, has met with Ministry of Sugar Director Praneel Naidu to explore new avenues where inmates could further support cane-cutting operations across the sugar industry.
Discussions with the Ministry focused on several key areas, including improving current operations and ensuring the fair selection of farms, increasing inmate engagement to help address the growing labour shortage and expanding involvement throughout the farming cycle.
Naucukidi thanked the Ministry for its continued cooperation, saying the FCS was prepared to adjust its operational model to enable the engagement of more inmates in the Musu Dovu cane-cutting initiative.
“We are ready to discuss changes in our operations to allow more inmates to participate,” he said.
Director Naidu welcomed the proposal, noting that government has considered using overseas workers to fill the labour gap.
“But I believe Corrections will be the alternative and best option because to date the inmates have become the most efficient workforce. We have never received complaints from farmers—only high demand for their engagement,” he said.
Naucukidi said the initiative benefits everyone.
“For us, this will greatly contribute to behaviour enhancement and act as a deterrent to breaches, because many inmates will be encouraged to behave in order to be considered.”
He added that the work teaches inmates the values of “hard work, discipline, and teamwork—qualities they need when they re-enter the workforce.”
The Acting Commissioner and his team concluded their Western tour with visits to inmates and FCS personnel deployed across Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.
