Correctional officers not allowed to assault prisoners: Pokanis

PNG Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis says his officers are not allowed to assault inmates in prisons.
“I have issued internal instructions to officers to restrain themselves at all times by not committing offences that contravene the rights of detainees,” he said.
National Court judge Panuel Mogish ordered that prisoners should not be assaulted in prison.
A detainee, Glen Toweba, had told the National Court in Port Moresby on Wednesday that warders at Bomana assaulted him every time he returned to the prison after attending court.
Toweba is charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and robbery and was detained since Sept 2018.
Pokanis had earlier said inmates in prisons could report mistreatment to the Human Rights Court.
“In fact, there are many human rights cases reported by the prisoners like if the warders swore or assaulted at them,” he said.
“The National Court allows this as an avenue for prisoners to report on abuse by warders citing human rights.
“So everyone is given the same treatment.
“But warders are also mindful of their act in prisons as they also think of their security, including their wives and children’s when they come out to shop or move around in public places.”
Pokanis said: “The work of a Correctional officer is to have all detainees looked after at the correctional institutions.
“CS legislation does not allow officers to assault a detainee.
“Force is only applied when there is resistance applied by detainee(s) according to CS practice under the legislation.”