Father Nolie shines a light in prison

People

By ELIAS LARI
CATHOLIC priest Father Robert Nolie believes that prisoners are human beings who if given the chance to redeem themselves and become productive family members can change.
The man from Bunum Wo in North Waghi, Jiwaka, believes that words of encouragement and rehabilitation programmes in prisons mean a lot to them.
He is the parish priest and chaplain at Baisu Prison in Western Highlands. He began his work on inmates in 2015 by asking the Archbishop of Mt Hagen Bishop Douglas Young to help him in his plan for prisoners. Young gave Nolie K2000 which was used to buy two pigs, two ducks, two goats, bush knives and spades.
Now that the livestock project is on track, he plans to start fish farming too.
They earned K4000 from the sale of pigs, ducks and goats and spent it to buy chicks and cattle.
He arranged with the prison management to set up the Baisu prison technical education vocational training (Tvet) centre. Classes have already begun teaching inmates skills they can use after serving their prison terms.
“These people are also taxpayers and citizens who will contribute meaningfully to nation building. Some are in jail for major crimes while others are not. But it is important that they learn why their freedom is being taken away.

“ I believe in programmes that can help a person turn from being bad to good. Prisoners need our support to create a new chapter in life and we as Christians must help them.”

Prisoners at Baisu Prison digging a fish pond as a new project.
Prisoners looking after the pigs at Baisu Prison as part of their rehabilitation programme led by Fr Robert Nolie.

“Forcing a person to change may not work. Encouraging that same person to change will be more effective.”
Part of his ministry as a servant of God is to help people in need.
“It is how we treat and help them because many after returning to their families find out that there is no difference to life in prison. They then return to their old lifestyle and eventually return to prison.”
Nolie wants all prisoners to return to their families as changed individuals.
“I believe in programmes that can help a person turn from being bad to good. Prisoners need our support to create a new chapter in life and we as Christians must help them.
“Life is not meant for people to live in poverty, struggle or fear but to enjoy life to the fullest.”
As part of the programme, the good pastor gives prisoners who have completed their terms pigs, ducks and goats to start their own projects with their families at home.
Nolie also gave two pigs and a goat to the prisoners to celebrate Independence Day on Sept 16.
He believes that prisoners will change once they are being encouraged and taught the skills to change their lives.
Nolie wants to help others who still have no hope after leaving the prison camps.
“Hope is there for those who feel that they are in situations of hopelessness, depression and despair. All they need is a shepherd to lead them back to the world of hope.”