CORRECTIONS officers need to adapt their skills and knowledge to deal with new and more complex forms of crime.
This was shared by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at the launch of the Fiji Corrections Service “Behind the walls” art exhibition, noting that offenders are increasingly using technology and organised networks to commit crimes, requiring corrections officers to better understand and respond to these changing challenges.
Ratu Naiqama said the nature of crime was changing alongside society, with some offenders now using smartphones, online platforms and close-quarter networks.
“For cyber-enabled exploitation, illicit drugs, traffic, the laundering of criminal proceeds and the organised criminal activity demand new knowledge and new responses,” he said.
“This is where the corrections officers need to be a part of the society.”
Ratu Naiqama said corrections officers needed to be part of society and build on their experience to meet the challenges they now faced.
He said people entering prison were “very brave” and “very clever” and had committed offences that warranted imprisonment.
Ratu Naiqama said the changing nature of crime meant corrections officers needed to develop their experience to respond to offenders and the challenges they presented.
“Building the State of Fiji is not only about having high walls, but also about the role of prisons.”
