Pokanis happy with detainees

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
PAPUA New Guinea Correctional Services (CS) Commissioner Steven Pokanis says he is happy with how the detainees, CS personnel and their families have coped during the state of emergency (SOE) period without any major incidents occurring so far.
Pokanis said he was having discussions with his officers and had advised them to continue performing their duties and maintain a standard in taking care of the detainees, CS facilities and their families.
“There are over 11,000 people in the CS community throughout the country that includes over 5,000 detainees, over 5,000 dependents and 1,500 CS officers which we are trying keep focused and continue with their work,” he said.
“This means, building confidence and trusting our government and frontline officers working over and above their duties to help our people.”
Pokanis said with the lack of resources available, the least the department could do was to continue with the basic Covid-19 protocols of keeping everyone healthy and free at all times through washing hands, social distancing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, seeking medical assistance when feeling sick.
“So there is no need to panic if we follow simple steps provided by the Health Department and our hardworking doctors and nurses throughout the country.”
Pokanis also commended churches and Christians in the country for their prayers and believed that the right attitude and spiritual strength would help in the fight against the Covid-19.
He has also instructed all the CS commanding officers throughout the country to impose a curfew at their institutions from March 27 to April 24.
He said the internal instruction would be assessed and extended if required.
Pokanis said he was also pleased with the SOE controller.