Correctional Services to undergo reforms: Minister

THE Correctional Services (CS) will undergo legal and policy reforms, says Minister for Internal Security Peter Tsiamalili Jr.
Tsiamalili told Parliament last week that the CS was reviewing its current legislation in consultation with Constitutional Law and Reform Commission (CLRC).
“Main areas of reform will be in creating an avenue for CS to have its own prison industry authority – establishing this business entity will improve and strengthen the ongoing prison industries,” he said
“This is where revenue will be generated to keep the industries operating and expanding where required.
This is where funds generated can support CS operations.
This is where convicted detainees can have start-up funds to help them when they leave the correctional facility.”
Tsiamalili stated that the legislation reform would improve and strengthen disciplinary processes where the commissioner can dismiss officers for misappropriation, for aiding prisoners escape from prison and for officers trading goods with prisoners.
“The legislation reform, will allow CS Officers to become involve with national and international engagement, as well as participating in United Nations peace-keeping duties,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CS is partnering with Police and Defence Force, through putting their front-line officers through a two-year cadetship training, at the Joint Forces College.
CS will also be recruiting over 100 new officers.
“CS has engaged with the Solomon Island Correctional Service to allow seven of their officers to train with their PNGCS colleagues.”
Over 300 officers have completed their Technical and Vocational Education Training (Tvet) certificates, officers graduating to diplomas, under-graduate certificates and to master certificates.
“In total, over 800 CS officers are graduates of colleges and universities in-country, and overseas,
“CS is rebuilding its work-force by direct employment of 33 new health officers, currently increasing health officer numbers to 46 around the 20 correctional institutions.
“The position taken by CS to increase its manpower is to recruit and employ expertise in the field of psychiatrists, psychologists, infrastructure specialists, counsellors, chaplains and operational officers.”
Tsiamalili added that the CSwould also be building its own hospital to cater for detainees referred from other institutions, and to cater for detainees with mental health issues.
“This position is taken in order to stop detainees from escaping from public hospitals, but, most importantly, to have detainees in a secured environment in order to continue their medical treatment,” he said.
Tsiamalili stated the CS would also be maintaining current assets, starting with staff houses, detainee dormitories, office buildings, to utilities such as sewerage, water and electricity which required significant resources including technical expertise, funding and other support.
“CS has over 1,042 staff houses to accommodate the same number of officers,” he said.
“Increasing the manpower to 2,700 requires 1,700 staff houses. The same accommodation problem applies to overcrowding in many of our correctional institutions.”
Tsiamalili added there were 100 detainees to a dorm when there should be 50 per dorm.