‘Sick’ inmates on streets

A DETAINEE, who was admitted to the Port Moresby General Hospital and later seen roaming around the city, is back in custody, according to Correctional Services Minister Chris Nangoi.
Nangoi said this following complaints on social media, particularly Facebook, that inmates who were supposed to be admitted were seen roaming around in Port Moresby.
The complaint was understood to have been raised by relatives of a deceased female against a detainee, Robert Mai, a lawyer by profession.
Nangoi confirmed that the detainee was removed from the hospital and an investigation was being carried out.
He said the report would be sent to Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
“However, by law, prisoners are allowed to get medical attention in hospitals and it is unfortunate that medical doctors always have the upper hand or final say when it comes to prisoners’ health conditions, as failure to adhere to doctors’ advice will result in lawsuits against CS,” Nangoi said.
“Prisoners therefore, at some instances, have slipped out of the wards at night and returned to their beds in the morning because of lack of security to cover two to three wards and prisoners at the same time. “I hope this clarifies the concern raised by the family of the deceased now that the detainee is back in custody.”
Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis said complaints of prisoners roaming freely should be directed to him.
“I will encourage such complaints to come directly to me as the commissioner so that proper filtering and administrative investigations can be done if cases are serious, and it will allow a more objective response that is disseminated in a more official manner,” he said.
“With the complaint referred to Minister for Police, I do not have full details of what actually happened, and as to whether the detainee was at the hospital or out somewhere in NCD as from the little information given, it is difficult to ascertain the real issue.”
“I have skimmed through the report from the acting commanding officer to me and it all seems to be in order in accordance to the medical reports and in accordance to CS law and operating procedures.
“What we are not fully aware of is the ongoing misunderstanding by a few people who do not want to see offenders outside correctional institutions because their strong perception is to have all prisoners locked up at the Institution.”