Fears raised stopping leave of absence will result in escapes

By JUNIOR UKAHA
THE Government’s decision to put a stop to leave of absence (LoA) for prisoners will result in a lot of escapes, a prison commander says.
Supt Felix Namane, the commanding officer of the Buimo Prison in Lae, said the leave was a privilege accorded to prisoners to help them seek help outside prison but when that privilege was taken away frustrations could build up among the prisoners.
Namane urged Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to reconsider his decision.
“When you stop the LoA (leave), you will find out that the rate of escapes will increase,” he said. “I urge the prime minister to revisit his decision (about stopping the LoA).
“As a jail commander, I am skeptical about the prime minister’s decision.”
Namane explained that the leave was allowed under the Correctional Services Act.
He said the Correction Service usually gave a short-term and a long-term LoA, depending on the request made by prisoners.
“Last year we implemented it (on some prisoners) but for three days only in Buimo,” Namane said.
“There is also a leave of absence for training purposes and leave of absence for employment.
“Short term LoA is for three days.
“High-risk prisoners are only given a day’s LoA under escort.
“Prisoners, who are sick, have special cases.
“If they are admitted (in hospital) we will watch over them until they recover.”
Namane said in Bomana’s case where high-profile prisoners were released on LoA for longer periods needed to be investigated and those implicated dealt with.
He said a blanket ban should be removed and other prisons around the country accorded the privilege of leave of absence to their prisoners when the need arose.