𝐒𝐈𝐗 𝐈𝐍𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄

“I really do not know what to expect going back home, because the world is very different now from what I left 20 years ago.”

These were the sentiments of Pauliasi Delaibatiki, one of the six inmates who received their Presidential Pardon this week and was released after serving 20 years of a life sentence.

“There is not a day that goes by that I still think about the crime I committed and the people I hurt, I was a very different person then, young and rebellious and has taken me 20 years to become this new person altogether ready to give back to my family all those years I have lost.

“But I am also very nervous because I do not know what to expect. I thank the Fiji Corrections Service and all the officers I have come through, those who have taught me many valuable things, especially Mrs Jane Ricketts, who unlocked my love and talent for art which I will use now to make a living.

Pauliasi, had become one of the resident artists based at the Tagimoucia Art Gallery from 2012 to 2023 before he was moved to Medium Corrections Center to work at the joinery painting designs on wooden artefacts like birthday keys and mirror stands.

He is already a household name in the Art community in Fiji.

He will continue with his art and hopes to establish his small work space to sell his art pieces at the Pacific Harbour Art and Cultural Center in Deuba where he resides.

Six inmates serving Life sentences were pardoned by the State this week.

Those pardoned were;

1. Arneel Chandar Goundar of Navo, Nadi,

2. Pauliasi Delaibatiki, Arts Village, Deuba,

3. Tiko Uate, Dratabu, Nadi

4. Tafizul Rahman, Drasa, Lautoka

5. Francis Narayan, Westfield, Nadi,

6. Timoci Ravurabota, Nailega, Namalata, Tailevu.

They were all taken home this week by FCS personnel and handed over to their loved ones in what was an emotional affair.

In his final briefing to them, the Acting Commissioner of Corrections, Mr Sevuloni Naucukidi expressed his well wishes to all of them in their new chapter and to always treasure the privilege of being free and the responsibility that comes with it from here on.

“We thank you for serving your sentences diligently and for helping contribute to the success of the programs who were all a part of as work leaders of the tailor shop, as gang leaders in the farms and as artists at the gallery.”

“But let me warn you that the world out there is different from the world you know and left years ago, so go be with your families and stay away from the things that had brought you here to us.”

All pardoned met the criteria, and have served their sentences diligently becoming model prisoners and reaching Special Stage classification while serving their time.

All inmates were recommended for pardon by their officers in command for their good behavior during incarceration and their willingness to participate in all rehabilitation programs over the years.

Their sentences served ranged from 15 to 20 years.

The grant of the Presidential Pardon is made via the advice and recommendation of the Mercy Commission.

The Mercy Commission considers the number of years served and the circumstances surrounding the inmate when the offence was committed.

The FCS wishes them well in their future and hopes the community will assist in their succesful transition back to society.