Minister orders prison probe

 AN investigation will be done on implications relating to the officer who was suspended for producing an internal report of sexual impropriety in the Correctional Services. 

Minister for Correctional Services Jim Simatab told Parliament yesterday that injustice was done to the officer when he was suspended by the CS commissioner after he completed the internal report on alledged impropriety in CS and published in The National newspaper on Monday.

Simatab said the officer was highly regarded by the commissioner when he was appointed as internal investigator to probe the allegations of Bomana prison sex indecency as well as illegal behaviour in prison facilities last year.

The minister said he would direct an investigation into the officer’s suspension. 

“I shall ensure that circumstances surrounding this officer and others implicated are fully investigated,” he said. 

“I have also directed the commissioner to provide further details through the media on this internal investigation for public information. 

“I was advised that as a result of the newspaper article in The National yesterday (Monday), the commissioner has suspended this officer from active duty.” 

Simatab was asked by Sohe MP Delilah Gore to confirm or deny the content of the published report. 

The internal report stated the CS rehabilitation policy had broken down as a result of officers and prisoners getting more physically connected. 

Simatab assured the government, public and media that his ministry would continue to maintain an open-door policy for timely release of information on all aspects of prison security and containment as well as rehabilitation of prisoners.