What is believed to be the world’s first prison-based traditional Pacific meeting house (fale) has opened at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.
The fale will provide a place and opportunity for Pacific prisoners to be rehabilitated and reintegrated in a culturally appropriate manner.
Corrections National Pacific Adviser Leatuavao Viko Aufaga said it has been a long-held dream of his to see a fale established in a prison. He considered it “a highlight for the Department in terms of it's commitment to Pacific peoples.“
Every part of the building holds cultural significance. The roof represents the belief that cultural values provide shelter in life. The foundation represents the family, or aiga - the foundation represents the belief that cultural values provide shelter in life. The pou (the four posts between the roof and the foundation) connect culture and family.
The fale links a prisoner with his family and community thus increasing his ability to be successfully reintegrated back into the community on release.
It will be used predominantly to accomidate the Saili Matagi Violence Prevention programme for Pacific violent offenders and other Vaka Fa'aola (Pacific Focus Unis) associated activities.
A number of stakeholders were involved in the development of the fale - the University of the South Pacific, the Victoria University Pacific Studies Unit, the Chief Executive's Pacific Advisory Group, the Pacific Peoples' Regional Corrections Liaison Committee, and Ngati Naho, kaitiaki for Spring Hill.
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ISSN 1178-8453