Inmates get allowance for projects

National

By LARRY ANDREW
BUIMO prison inmates will be given pocket money to help them start small projects upon completion of their jail term.
This was made possible with the signing of an agreement between Buimo and the Lae City Authority cleanathon rehabilitation programme for the prisoners.
Lae MP and Lands and Physical Planning Minister John Rosso made the announcement last Thursday during a Christmas visit to the prison.
“Under the authority’s budget, it has come up with the rehabilitation programme, starting January, with prison wardens selecting prisoners to help keep the city clean,” he said.
“A small tipper truck will also be given to the prison to use for the cleanathon in the city.
“And the authority will contribute K20,000 every month for the program to help clear the city of bushes.”
Rosso added that 30 per cent of the contributions would go towards the prisoners pocket with 70 per cent to the Buimo administration and operations.
“Let us say you had spent two to three years in prison, and upon leaving you at least have some money. It may not be much but it will help those freed to start a small project to earn a living,” he said.
“This is to help give them a second chance in life when they rejoin society as a free man.”
Rosso also said the authority would soon deliver a new 25 seater bus for the prison and a 10-seater Landcruiser for the prison management.
He also announced that he was donating from his pocket to buy seven TV sets for the prison.