| Business |
A change for the
better
By JAMES MISILA
Divine Word University student
Prison is a terrible place but it is also a place where inmates if
they choose to can experience remorse and personal revival.
Alphonse Dambui 34, an inmate at Beon Correctional Insititute in
Madang province is testimony to that.
The Beon Correctional Instititute Service believes Alphonse’ story
will inspire fellow inmates and others who feel they are failures
in society.
After dropping out of grade six Alphonse from Palinde in East
Sepik province took up studies through College of Distance
Education (CODE), but found he was unable to progress further than
grade 8.
His wayward ways steered him towards the wrong side of the law and
in January 1995 Alphonse was charged and detained in Beon for
illegal use of motor vehicle.
With three months remaining on his 12 month sentence Aphonse
decided to dash for freedom.
He was recaptured in March 2000 and charged for unlawful escape
from custody.
Alphonse was committed to the National Court in April 2000. He
escaped again and was recaptured in June 2001. In March 2002
Alphonse was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
“I thought I had no future,” Alphonse told The National Weekender
last Saturday.
Alphonse was fed up with life and the hardship and misery of being
in prison.
But over the years Alphonse came to realise that warders were not
his enemies.
“I realized that they were public servants who are trying to help
me for my future,” he said.
When this realization came a gradual change in his behaviour. He
was monitored through the normal security risk process. From being
classed as high security risk, Alphonse became medium security and
eventually a low security class inmate in 2003.
There is a farm just a few meters down the slope from the low
security detainee section. During his years there Alphonse
developed an interest in livestock by observing warders and fellow
inmates working with the livestock program. In January 2004
Alphonse mentioned his interest to Sergeant Clement Bongae.
He was registered with the livestock section of the rehabilitation
program under Sergeant Clement, which maintains a piggery,
poultry, ducks and vegetable nursery.
“I was interested in livestock because it is for the people in the
villages like me,” Alphonse said. His commitment to the program
saw him win the warders’ trust.
Today Sergeant Clement is very proud of Alphonse. They have a
trusting teacher- student relationship.
In 2005 the Madang Teachers College needed a farmer assistant. The
college which has an arrangement with the CIS through its
rehabilitation program requested someone from Beon. Alphonse was
selected for the job in February 2005.
He was released that same year on license as part of the PNG s
30th Independence anniversary. Sergeant Clement gave him a female
weaner pig and a hand book about livestock.
He started a piggery project in Sisiak ward ten outside Madang
Town. Later he put his pig in the college farm. His first pig bore
six piglets in January last year and another ten piglets in
January this year.
Alphonse now trains first year college students in livestock
breeding, feeding and mating.
He proudly told me that many college students ask him if he was a
graduate of Vudal University. He tells them he learnt his skills
in a place one could only go by foolish choice.
The college recently sent him to a one week management course run
by the CCRI along the Madang’s North coast.
He is thankful to the Madang Teachers college for recognizing and
developing his skills.
With acceptance and support from his community Alphonse formed the
Jubuans youth group.
Jubuan means last man in his Sepik dialect.
He also counsels inmates at Beon jail encouraging them to get
involved in farming upon release.
“I want my brothers to follow me and not end up in jail,” he said.
He is thankful for the support from Sergeant Clement and the Chief
Inspector and Manager Operations A’Aron Menau.
The CIS provides backup programs for former detainees who are
interested in starting projects at home for the industry and other
welfare and rehabilitation programs taught at Beon.
Mr Menau called on business houses, government agencies and
interested groups to help former detainees by employing them or
funding their small projects.
Alphonse had prepared a simple project proposal for financial
assistance for his small pig project.
 
|
