Row put halt on admissions at facility

ADMISSION of juvenile convicts to a Australian-funded facility in Morobe has been stalled by differences between the Government and the Catholic church, a meeting has been told.
The Morobe juvenile justice committee met last week to discuss the development of its two facilities funded by Australia and faith-based organisations.
Senior magistrate and committee chairman Pious Tapil welcomed representatives from Buimo prison, the police juvenile unit and church groups, including Catholic priest Father Arnold Schmidt.
Projects include renovations to the juvenile facility at the Erap Boys Town which Australia had funded for more than K1 million.
Unfortunately contract issues on the facility between the Government and the Catholic church has stopped the admission of juvenile convicts in the past three years.