Prison: Establishing partnership vital

ESTABLISHING a strong networking partnership with the community is one key focus of the Correctional Services (CS), commanding officer of Beikut prison in North Bougainville, Senior Inspector Jackson Gubag says.
Gubag told The National that by establishing that partnership provides a positive impact on the inmates when they end prison terms.
He said CS aimed to create dialogue so inmates could freely go back to their respective communities with a changed mindset.
Beikut is the only prison in Bougainville but due to infrastructure problems some prisoners are kept in the Buka police cells.
He said with the partnership in the prisoner rehabilitation programme carry out an awareness to inform the community to help in changing prisoners’ mindsets.
“We want to paint a picture so that the community can view the prisoners the same as everyone else once they leave the prison,” he said.
He said it was vital for former prisoners to take part in activities in the community so that they feel part of the society. CIS has a good working partnership with non-government and Faith Based Organisations.