Integritus Prime

When the Yellow Ribbon project was launched around 2006 or 2007 by the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Services (FPCS), it was for the purpose of giving inmates a chance to use their talents for positive life purposes. The Commissioner of FPCS then, Mr. Ioane Naivalurua, stated that creative writing was the centerpiece of the initiative. He strongly believed that offenders needed to be given a second chance in life. A similar initiative was started in Singapore from where the idea was born.

The process that followed the launch of this project included a team from the University of the South Pacific’s School of Language, Arts and Media’s Pacific Writing Forum conducting a creative writing course for the inmates in prison. The course was conducted in 7 prisons around the country, lasted about a year, and culminated in the production of a book called ‘Shedding silences: An Anthology of Writing from Fiji Prisons’.

We were very privileged to have been loaned this book from a dear friend who currently volunteers her time teaching art classes to inmates. According to the acknowledgements in the book, there were many inmates who actually attended the creative writing course. However, the publication showcased the writings of 37 inmates. The foreword for the book was written by Mr. Naivaurua, who stated, “… given a second chance, quite a number of offenders could be redirected towards better, greater and productive pursuits. That is what the Yellow Ribbon Project is all about…”

The book contains compelling narratives. A common theme in the creative writing was regret especially at making wrong choices, keeping bad company or following poor role models. One inmate shared that there were 3 generations of offenders in his family (grand father, father and himself). What tore at his heart was the fact that his son was also incarcerated while he himself was in prison.

The other themes discussed were running away from home due to absent parents, stealing to meet basic needs, being bullied or abused by relatives or stepparents; and how these affected their choices. Lack of education was also very prominent especially for those who were behind bars due to violent crimes.

Inmates also talked about being lonely, forgotten by family and loved ones, and not having a home to go to when released. They were grateful to have 3 meals and a warm bed despite being locked up and not having other privileges.

At the end of the creative writing project, many of the inmates had faced their demons and pledged to never offend again. Some learnt to write poetry and short stories while those brave enough to write their diaries, dared to share it in the publication. 

We know from experience that if we curse or verbally abuse a plant, it shrivels up and dies. Similarly, if we abuse humans or provide negative feedback to them daily, that becomes normal for them and they start living a negative life. Providing a supportive environment to young people, including inmates, enables them to keep on the right path or redeem their lives. Inmates have time for self-reflection while incarcerated, and planting the seed for a better life of productivity and positivity is the least that is needed. The environment people live in definitely has an impact on their behavior and choices.

We will share more on this topic as the examples come in. Share with us your journey with helping people redeem themselves, behind bars or not.