Prison in poor state

 By PISAI GUMAR

BUIMO jail acting commander Supt Judy Tara has urged Correctional Services Commissioner Martin Balthazar to look into the poor state of facilities at Buimo prison.

Tara told Balthazar at Buimo last week that simple things such as office supplies were lacking and affected their work.

“Stationery quotations were submitted month after month to headquarters but it takes months to receive them,” she said.

Buimo is able to accommodate 500 inmates. 

It should have a ratio of one officer to five prisoners but currently it is one to 10.

She also raised her concern over the lack of staff, over-crowding, rotting prison fences and staff houses.

She said these were some of the problems they faced at the prison daily.

Tara has also asked the nine Morobe MPs including Governor Kelly Naru to assist in improving the facilities in the prison which catered for prisoners from the nine districts.

A 20-bed health centre, 20-man barrack and officers’ duplex funded by Lae MP Loujaya Toni is currently under 

construction.

Balthazar said rural lock-ups should minimise over-crowding in prison and urged the division of provincial affairs to look into 

it.

“The rural lock-up will require six officers, six staff houses, detainees’ cell, budget to maintain it daily including three daily meals for the detainees,” Balthazar 

said. 

He said jail would be built at Mumeng in Bulolo district.