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By FRANCIS POKA CS Baisu Media Unit
ABOUT 22 low-risk prisoners from Baisu jail in Mt Hagen are currently
engaged in cleaning and general maintenance work at the Kagamuga
international airport under a special prison rehabilitation programme.
The prisoners have been deployed around the airport for routine and
periodic airport maintenances, basically for grass cutting, clearing and
drainage maintenance.
“The use of prison labour is one way prisoners can give something back
to the community and make up for their wrong past,” Highlands Regional
Civil Aviation manager based at Kagamuga airport Rex Topiso said.
He thanked the staff and management of Baisu correctional services for
responding positively and releasing the 22 prisoners for community
services.
He said since taking up the post, it was his first time ever to engage
prisoners for such work in an open environment, adding that he will do
his best to ensure that this programme is maintained.
“I would also like to extend my request to other Highlands jails for
their assistance in cleaning and maintaining all other major airports in
the region.
“We would also remunerate the prisoners in return for the services
provided,” Mr Topiso said.
Baisu jail prisoner’s project coordinator senior Insp Simeon Heni said
prisoners should be encouraged to be more involved in community work to
reduce cost of hiring private contractors.
He said although some prisoners were convicted of serious crimes, they
had been rehabilitated and classified as low-risk prisoners and would
pose no threat to communities.
Baisu jail commanding officer senior Insp Richard Kunjip thanked CA
Department for utilising services of the prisoners in community services
work, adding that the jail will closely work with other stakeholders as
partners in rehabilitating the prisoners.
Though the prisoners are engaged under the request by the CA Department,
they are supervised by the prison officers.
 
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