Rehabilitation Community Awareness

Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS) completed its second set of rehabilitation
community awareness this week at Matautu Lefaga. The Rehabilitation Community awareness is
part of SPPCS’s implementation plan to inform and educate the community on the rehabilitation and
reintegration programs offered for inmates emphasizing the significance of their support during the
incarceration period and when inmates re-enter society.
The first rehabilitation community awareness was conducted at the Voice of Christ Church at Vaitele
Uta, which consisted of participants from Vailoa Faleata, Siusega, Falelauniu and Nu’u.

Deputy Commissioner for Prisons and Corrections Services Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga elaborated
on the support needed from the wider community.

“These inmates rely on your support, so they could have a smooth transition back to society without
being regarded as convicts or bad influence”, says Leiataua.
This declaration was realized by Rev. Esaroma Fatilua of the Congregational Christian Church of
Samoa at Matautu-Tai Lefaga during his sermon at this week’s gathering.
“SPPCS is working towards building, moulding and reshaping inmate’s lives, but when they re-enter
society, we as the community should embrace them with open arms, don’t avoid them and
stereotypically say stay away from them, he or she was a prisoner”, said Rev. Esaroma.
Assistant Commissioner for Development Programs Motunu’u Teofilo and team presented the
different activities and rehabilitation programs carried out by SPPCS to try and assist those
incarcerated. The awareness program included items and skits showcased and performed by the
inmates themselves. Members of the Lefaga community expressed their gratitude towards the
Ministry.
“I am so grateful this program was able to come to Lefaga, says Apemanūtoao Kerisimasi. “It is such
a pleasant sight to witness the change in some of the inmates today”

“The program has opened our minds, said veteran Corrections Officer Faumuinā Tua Lē Mamea. “It
has allowed our community to understand what we can do to help SPPCS and support the men and
women incarcerated at Tanumalala and any other Correctional facilities.”