Naru: Fast track court cases

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru has called on courts and police prosecutions to fast track court cases of remandees at the Buimo prison.

Naru made this call yesterday following the daring escape last Thursday of more than 80 inmates, most of whom were remandees, at Buimo.

According to Lae Met Supt Anthony Wagambie Junior overcrowding, lack of manpower at the prison and delays to remandees’ cases were some of the reasons that led to the mass breakout.  

“These people (inmates) are human beings. They have human rights and our Constitution protects them,” Naru said.

“We need to give due considerations to their welfare and livelihood even though they are in prison.

“Justice delayed is almost equivalent to justice denied. 

“And some of these people have been sitting for years in there waiting for their cases to be processed.

“I am calling on all agencies involved to fast track their cases.” 

Naru said despite their status as prisoners of the state all inmates have human rights that must and should be respected.

“They must be treated as human beings,” Naru said.

 “We have to find out the real reason behind why these people are breaking out from the prison.

“There is overcrowding in the jail. There is not enough space for the prisoners to move around.” 

Naru said successive governments have neglected prisons and prisoners in the nation culminating in mass escapes over the years.

He said the Buimo jail has an acute staffing problem because only about 100 warders were looking after more than 700 inmates.