Typhoid outbreak hits Mendi jail

By YVONNE HAIP
THE overcrowded and deteriorating state of the Mendi police lock-up in Southern Highlands has resulted in a typhoid and dysentery outbreak.
Police fear some prisoners may die because of the unhealthy state of the prison.
The prison floors are littered with faeces and blood, with poor water supply and sanitation facilities, making it unsuitable for sick prisoners.
Police are reluctant to put the sick prisoners outdoors as they are serious offenders.
Instead prisoners are left outside their holding cells.
Police said the issue was getting out of hand, especially with two prisoners hospitalised, and more likely to fall sick or die.
The police department had asked the provincial administration to help fix the cells at a cost of K30,000, when the lock-up was condemned last July after a health inspection report declared it unsuitable for human habitation.
But that has not eventuated and police have no choice but to continue keeping prisoners in the lock-up that can hold up to 90 inmates.
But the cells are overcrowded because Buiebi jail has refused to take in inmates after last May 4’s mass breakout by 91 prisoners.
Jail bosses have resolved to halt their services until authorities repair damage done during the breakout, including the replacement of prison locks as the master key was stolen by the escapees.
Acting police commander, Sibron Papoto, who did an inspection of the cells on Monday morning, said police were being placed in an “awkward position” due to Buiebi refusing to take more prisoners, while the “deteriorated, filthy and smelly” cells had reached their capacity.
Papoto said although the lives of prisoners were at stake, “they cannot be put on bail because police do not have the authority, and the offences committed are serious. Only the courts are able to grant bail”.
Police are now working to have the health inspection report endorsed by the resident judge and senior magistrate, so that directives are given to other highlands jails to take in prisoners from there.
Those committed to stand trial will be moved to Baisu jail in Western Highlands this week.