Pokanis urges families to visit inmates

CORRECTIONAL Service Commissioner Stephen Pokanis, pictured, is urging the families of inmates to maintain regular contacts with them, for example, through visits.
Pokanis said those serving long jail terms could be affected mentally, making it hard to re-enter society when released.
“It also increases the risk of them re-offending,” he said.
He said prison visits would keep inmates in touch with family members and relatives.
“I appeal to the families to maintain constant dialogue with those in prison.
“Some visit their family members in prison but some prisoners have not had any visit from families.
“I would think that somewhere there is a brother or sister, an uncle or aunt who should come because solace and comfort help prisoners.
“All they need is someone to come and see them, sit down with them, and talk so that challenges they may be facing silently and stress can be reduced.”
He said prison authorities could only do so much and needed the support of families.
It is one reason some prisons organise events such as the Independence Day celebrations and church activities to give families the opportunity to share some time with and give hope to prisoners.
Pokanis said there were also risks in organising such activities.
“Those are the risks that we are aware of.
“It is just because we are not managing those risks confidently so that we prevent escapes.”