Inmates kept in lockup

LEAVE-of-absence for prisoners at Bomana Prison has been suspended for an indefinite period due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Port Moresby, acting prison commander Supt Yelly Oiufa says.
Supt Oiufa said inmates would only be leaving the prison for emergency cases and court appearances.
“We have cancelled all rehabilitation activities outside of the prison but we are also keeping the inmates occupied with other in-house activities such as sports and cleaning up,” he said.
He said prison officials were keeping inmates regularly informed on what was happening outside and ensuring that they were occupied with activities to manage stress and anxiety.
“It is about passing the right information to them and we are also conducting Covid-19 awareness in the prison.”
Supt Oiufa said prison visitations were allowed during weekends.
“Visitors are expected to wear facemasks, maintain social distancing and keep their hands clean.”
He said the prison was still maintaining a 14-day isolation for new inmates, those on remand and inmates transferred in from other prisons.
“There won’t be any direct entry into the main prison camp.”
Supt Oiufa said the prison faced challenges in manpower and other resources but was managing well.
“We are stretched because the prison is big but we are doing what we can.”