Concerns over drop in funding

By PISAI GUMAR
WHILE the number of inmates in prisons increase due to the rise in crime around the country, funding to maintain these institutions are decreasing, says an officer.
Assistant Commissioner, acting northern region director Henry Wavik told officers at Buimo jail in Lae, Morobe, that the Correctional Services (CS) was facing major challenges in prison containment facilities throughout the country.
Wavick made the comments while handing over the acting northern region director position to Buimo commander Chief Supt Felix Namane on Friday.
Namane, then passed the Buimo commander baton to Judy Tara who was also promoted to chief superintendent.
Tara, however, is on a sick leave and was unable to attend.
Instead, manager operations Supt Fidelis Kasky will be acting in Tara’s position until she recovers and resume duty.
Wavik said though police and justice sectors will assist CS but there are job descriptions and demarcations.
“Thus, Correction Service officers must always be mindful on how they are dealing prisoners and I can assure CS officers that we have never performed our job well.
“Let us give what we were trained and supposed to be performing.
“We must be proud of the uniform we wear and utilise the knowledge and skills we’ve learnt to the fullest.”
Namane acknowledge the Welfare unit and Prison Fellowship International, churches, womens groups and companies and stakeholders that assisted Buimo to restore its image in last 10 months after mass escape in July 2018.