Serving in Fiji’s Prison
We spent nearly two weeks in Fiji, on ground, helping the locals with their jobs. Our group split up every morning and went out into the city to give a hand at one of the several locations. Most of the team helped out at schools, while another few spent time at a retirement home.
My friend Oscar and I spent five hours every day at Lautoka Corrections, a prison that housed roughly 500 prisoners in various cell blocks.
Our minivan shook to a stop on our first day at the prison. The demeanor and overall aesthetic of the prisoners caught me off balance right away. Smiles on their faces; some working outside with machetes; others sitting down laughing.
Seriously, holding machetes and laughing.
I was surprised to learn that this wasn’t uncommon among Fiji’s prison system. While more serious criminal offenders are treated in accordance with the severity of their crime, over our two weeks spent at Lautoka Corrections, I came to learn just how unique Fiji’s justice system is.
I talked to countless Fijians and for them, America is a tall tale. After learning that I was from America, one of these Fijians asked excitedly,
“America?! You know Sam Smith? Wiz Khalifa? America is great; everyone singing, making money. It’s a good time!”