Sort out issues with our prisons

PRISONERS dashing for freedom from jails in the country will continue unless the root cause is nipped.
Two reasons pop up every time there is a breakout – overcrowding and shortage of manpower.
Overcrowding is a consequence of criminal justice policy that undermines the ability of prison systems to meet basic human needs,such as healthcare, food, and accommodation.
Reducing overcrowding requires an understanding of the extent of the problem and the reasons for which it has come about in a particular prison system.
The Correctional Services Department needs urgent help from the Government through adequate annual funding for its planned programmes for expansion and improvement.
It would help to separate low-risk inmates and remandees,away from the major prison camps so they could serve their terms in district stations while being engaged in practical community service.
The hold-up to how far and fast their case is scheduled for hearing falls on the process line involving police (investigations and prosecuting), prosecutors (who should be ensuring the cases are heard as soon as possible) and judges or magistrates.
The buck has always been passed from one authority to another for the delay in hearing remandee cases – most times, police files are not ready so prosecution cannot proceed and at other times, the files go to the bottom of the pile.
Lingering manpower shortage as well as the ageing workforce contributed to notorious mass jail breaks.
PNG is among at least 115 countries in the world that has the number of prisoners exceeding official prison capacity.
Prison overcrowding is one of the key contributing factors to poor prison conditions around the world.
It is arguably the biggest single problem facing prison systems and its consequences can at worst be life-threatening and at best preventing prisons from fulfilling their proper function.
It compromises the provision and effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes, educational and vocational training, and recreational activities.
Most in PNG jails are detainees with some waiting close to 10 years.
A report into a jail break at Buimo in 2017 highlighted several detainees being kept in the prison precinct for over nine years while they wait for their turn in court.
Most times, those who make the dash for freedom are detainees or what some term as “alleged offenders” mostly on administrative issues but one that stands is frustration.
Detainees are simply awaiting trial by courts and each has as good as half a chance to be freed at the end of their trial.
The agony of waiting for their day in court has led to frustration and might we add, it’s injustice to those who are innocent.
Holding them for long periods is like sentencing them without trial.
Whatever little hope left for the remandee goes out the window when days turn into weeks, months and years.
They are presumed innocent of any offence for which the person is remanded; and the detention is not imposed as punishment of the remandee.
Imagine being held in horrible conditions for years and simply being forgotten.
But when they escapee, they get slapped with another charge, escaping from lawful custody and this time, there is evidence.
No one expects change and improvements, however, there should be a start now before the Correctional Services becomes overwhelmed by a crisis.