Inmates receive clothes

By PISAI GUMAR and LARRY ANDREW
Buimo jail’s prisoner reintegration project is gaining momentum with generous support from two second hand clothing companies in Lae.
The reintegration project is the initiative of Buimo Correctional Service welfare unit through its rehabilitation programme under leadership of commander Felix Namane.
Value City and Pagini clothing companies each month donate bales of clothing to the jail.
Namane said prisoners who served more than a year were given a bale of clothes donated by Value City to enable them to restart in community and reintegrate with their families again.
Bales from Pagini are sold to generate funds to meet shortfalls in prison rehabilitation activities in Buimo.
The project has so far generated K14,000 which is deposited into the prison account with ANZ bank.
Welfare unit coordinator Arnold Juvai said for the first time, Buimo paid for six 21-inch TV screens and replaced the damaged screens.
Money was also used for prizes during prisoners’ Easter programme, guitar strings, a sound mixer for the chapel, truck spare parts and fees for prisoners doing flexible open distance education (FODE) internally.
Meanwhile, ex-prisoners have formed an association to keep young men away from petty crime and illegal activities at Lae’s Eriku shopping centre.
Thomas Agiru, of Hela and East New Britain parentage, had set up an association called Lae Urban Youths which has a membership of 30.
He said the association is now enforcing law-and-order, beautification and general cleaning at Eriku in partnership with Lae district development authority.
“The group is happy with the support of Lae MP John Rosso, Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr plus other public servants in recognising our work,” Agiru said.