Balthazar: Make use of service 2011-2020 plan

By PISAI GUMAR
ACTING Correctional Services Commissioner Martin Balthazar is urging the ministry and members of the service throughout the country to use the 2011-20 Correctional Services strategic plan as a guiding “tool”.
At the formal launching of the document at Buimo jail, in Lae, Morobe province, last Thursday, he stressed how members of the institution could use the ideas captured in the plan.
The plan was formulated by the corporate planning and research unit after extensive discussions with commanders and managers of the country’s 19 jails.
The plan focuses on eight main pillars that include corporate excellence and governance, detainee management and containment services, community correction centres, detainee rehabilitation and re-integration, strategic partnerships and coordination, infrastructure development, management and sustainable, prison industry management and administration and national security response.
The pillars were to uphold the vision as a leader in detainee management and transformation – contributing to a just, safe and secure Papua New Guinea.
It was to enhance safety and security of society through secure containment and rehabilitation of detainees in partnership with stakeholders in fulfilling service mandate to achieve Vision 2050.
“To achieve the aim as part of service delivery, there are factors involved which need dedication and commitment, taking into account its sustainability and maintenance.
“What does service delivery mean to rural areas?
“Or is it too expensive to deliver service while detainees keep escaping from the jails?” Balthazar asked.
Deputy Commissioner Dominic ToMar called on jail managements to be critical about three crucial elements – officers, detainees and families.
He said staff needed to respect state property and facilities that cost millions to set in place.
The consultation team was led by Assistant Commissioner Steven Pokanis, Snr Insp Job Tamako, Francesca Marenge and Dominic Charah, with the technical support of ToMar.