CS plans to improve jails

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE Correctional Services (CS) is keen to improve the prison service in the country and will start a qualification programme in conjunction with the University of PNG next month.
A step identified to do that is training CS officers in managerial skills through basic competency training. 
This initiative aims to develop long term results of identifying and managing better rehabilitation practices to achieve better prison standards and professional service delivery in prisons, Commissioner Martin Balthazar said  
An arrangement has been signed between the PNG Correctional Services and UPNG for an in-service commissioning project that will see about 30 CS officers take on a Diploma in Correctional Services management course at the UPNG Open Campus.
The training will be conducted at the Bomana CS Training Institute with qualified trainers from UPNG and CS headquarters.
“The prison industry needs high mindsets to make sound decisions and policies to be able to attain the required standard.
“Rehabilitation of prisoners and officers’ call for serious attention to effectively improve outcomes which are in line with the government’s initiative to provide efficient services to the people,” the commissioner said.
The training is set to start early next month.
CS provided K135,000 for the programme  
The curriculum is based on competency training and includes the public sector workers’ development programme which the UPNG Open College will deliver.
Executive director of the college Samuel Haihuie said  the programme would be trainee-focused, with the objective of actively engaging the officers in the pedagogic transactions in theory and practice.