In an effort to try and keep our youths out of prison over petty crimes, the largest Indigenous Women's organization in the country, the Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei is taking steps to try and establish a traditional court system to deal with the rising problem.
After alarming statistics were revealed by the Interim Minister for Indeginous Affairs that 81 percent of all inmates in our prisons are indigenous fijians, Soqosoqo Vakamarama secretary Adi Finau Tabakaucoro said that many of those serving being bars are in for petty theft.
Adi Finau said they are making efforts to try and find ways of resolving such crimes through reconciliation process, ensuring that youths are not put behind bars of minor crimes.
While opening the 2007 AGM for the Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei this morning, Interim Minister for Indigenous Affairs Ratu Epeli Ganilau highlighted that indigenous Fijians make up 81% of the population in prisons around the country and no province is immune.
Ratu Epeli revealed that as at December 3rd, 2007 there were 946 immates in prisons around the country off which 760 are indigenous Fijians. He highlighted figures showing the number of people from each province currently behind bars, with Ba, Lau and Tailevu provinces topping the list.
Group to establish traditional court system
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