Buimo prisoners to learn brick-making

The National National
Long-term inmate Ronald Kiep (left) and university’s appropriate technology and community development institute intern Andrew Haiai pouring the cement mixture into the brick mould.

By GLORIA BAUAI
BUIMO prison inmates will undertake brick-making skills three months prior to their release, as a means of reintegration into their communities, an official says.
Prison commander Chief Supt Michael Wundia said the training would be carried out by the University of Technology’s appropriate technology and community development institute for soon-to-be discharged inmates.
According to Wundia, Buimo was not allowed to offer technical and vocational education and training.
He said such short courses would add value to the lives of inmates who felt ignored behind bars and thanked Niu Laip Programme for facilitating the brick-training.
Programme facilitator Mason Mai said the idea was to give released prisoners a chance at self-employment, while those serving longer terms would be trained and remain as programme supervisors.
Mai said tools and materials like cement would be provided by the Niu Laip Programme until a funding source was secured.
The two institutions met yesterday at Buimo and shared interest for a long-term programme.
Wundia said the long-term aim was to extend the programme into an income source for the prisoners and the institution.