PM awaits jail report

The National Main Stories

By JEFFREY ELAPA
AN investigation ordered by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill early this year into the granting of leaves of absence to some prisoners is expected to be completed next month.
O’Neill told The National that he was still waiting for the report on the investigation instituted by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
Justice Minister and Attorney-General Davis Steven confirmed yesterday that the investigation was delayed by a lack of funding which only became available in October.
He, however, said “a lot of progress has been made (since October) and a report is expected to be ready by January”.
O’Neill imposed a ban on the leave of absence granted to some prisoners and ordered an investigation into it after receiving complaints from the public that the process was being allegedly abused.
On top of banning it, O’Neill also ordered that:

  • A report be compiled on all the leave of absence granted last year;
  • all detainees on medical leave to return to prison;
  • jail commanders to arrange for doctors from provincial hospitals to visit the prison and conduct medical checks; and,
  • All leaves of absence issued by commanding officers be withdrawn and regional assistant commissioners to take full responsibility in consultation with the commanding officers.

The leave of absence is guided by Section 101 of the Correctional Services Act of 1995.
It allows inmates serving jail terms to take leave for very special reasons, mostly to seek medical treatment in hospitals.
The investigation team led by Molean Kilepak, a commission of inquiry specialist, consists of officers from the lower courts, upper courts, police, Correctional Services and the National Planning department.
The team has already visited 11 prisons around the country.
Steven however said the Bomana Correctional Services and the Correctional Services Headquarters had not cooperated with the team.
He has therefore advised the team to extend the investigation to cover Bomana and the CS headquarters.
He called on the commanders at Bomana and the CS headquarters to help the team complete the report by next month to determine the cause and procedures of the leave granted, and other issues facing jails in regard to the issue.
Steven has advised Kilepak and his team to have the report completed by January.
A preliminary report should be ready for him before Parliament resumes on January 23.
He will present it to O’Neill and the National Executive Council.
Acting Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis said they were implementing the prime minister’s ban on the leave of absence.