Courts told to fast track cases, some three years old

POLICE have asked the courts in Mendi, Southern Highlands, to fast track cases to prevent overcrowding and a possible breakout at Buebi jail.
Provincial police commander Supt Samson Kisa said 105 of the 180 inmates at the jail were on remand to await the court decision on their cases.
Of the 105, 75 were remanded by the National Court ruling and 30 by the district court.
The jail is supposed to accommodate not more than 200 people.
Kisa said some of those on remand had been in the jail for three years waiting for the court to make a decision on their case.
The prison is accommodating inmates from Southern Highlands and Hela.
He said they were currently facing a manpower shortage and it would be hard to contain any jail breakout.
“I believe that those on remand are fed up of being in the jail and is a warning to the jail management,” he said.
“I call on the courts to speed up the process so those who can be released can go home to reunite with their families and those found guilty are sentenced.”
He said the jail was also facing overcrowding.