Jail space crisis decried

 By FREDRICK JEJERI  

JUVENILE and female offenders in Bulolo, Morobe, are allowed bail accommodation in communities because of the lack of space in cells, says police station commander Leo Kaikas. 

He said most juveniles from Menyamya, Aseki and communities surrounding Bulolo, held for murder, rape, wounding and marijuana use were allowed to stay with families in communities, which was not supposed to happen. 

“Due to inadequate prison space, the current cell block cannot accommodate juveniles and females.  

“Population and business activities are increasing in the district and crime rate is alarming.   

“Police units, like family and sexual violence unit, community policing and the mobile squad, are operating outside of the office,” Kaikas said.

He said under a community development programme in the district, Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) had engaged two contractors in 2013 to put up new buildings and maintain the old ones. But the work was never completed.

“I am now calling on MMJV and the two contractors to negotiate and conclude their issues and complete the building by March this year to enable police to fully do their jobs in fighting lawlessness in the area,” Kaikas said. He said the important criminal investigation division might not be able to do its job as there was no safe place for his officers to file investigations and complaint documents from.