Jails cost K33m annually

 By BENNY GETENG

CORRECTIONAL Service Commissioner Martin Balthazar says it costs K33 million annually to feed the 5,000 prisoners in the country’s 22 jails.

“Like any other institution in the country, it is very costly to keep prisoners in jails,” he said.

“Some of us have only one or two meals per day while the convicts enjoy three meals per day.

“If the price of food increases, then the K33 million will also increase. Therefore it is very difficult to run a single jail in the country.”

Balthazar also revealed the positive steps being taken to stop jail breakouts. It includes the use of state-of-the-art scanners on prisoners entering jails and also on visitors visiting prisoners in jail. 

“These scanners will eliminate the smuggling of contraband such as mobile phones, small pocket knives and any other deemed dangerous tool or weapon that might be used by prisoners to aid their escape,” he said.

He said the scanners would be installed at Bomana in the NCD and Buimo in Lae before other jails.