The National Capital District Commission has collaborated with the PNG Correctional Services to sustain gains made by the city over the years. PNG Fire Services is also a key stakeholder in this partnership.
25 low-risk inmates (including five women), who are serving their terms in Bomana Prison, have been engaged for community correctional duties at the Independence Boulevard, in front of the National Parliament and the National Court House.
Correctional duties include awareness and clean-up.
NCDC’s Law and Order Officer in-charge of Parole and Probation, Mathew Bai said the fully-vaccinated prisoners were accompanied and supervised by Correctional Service officials.
Mr Bai said the program was earmarked for August last year (2021) but due to Covid-19 protocols and its enforcement on vaccination, it was put on hold until last Thursday.
He said the program, known as the “City-wide Clean Up and Law & Order Awareness Campaign,” is implemented as a rehabilitation program.
It is an initiative of NCDC in preparing the inmates well before they are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the communities.
“As part of the prisoners’ reintegration program, low risks prisoners are to do community work whilst serving their sentences in prison. Therefore, NCDC is working in partnership with its stakeholders to fulfill the prisoners “good citizens’ acts” of community work,” says Mr Bai.
Thursday’s program saw city residents who drove by, smiling in approval as they witnessed the inmates cutting grass, raking, sweeping and scrubbing the footpath and road from betelnut stains.
Acting City Manager, Ravu Frank commended the inmates and the key stakeholders for a job well done.
A similar program is planned to be held on 7th of April and the final one on 14th of April at the Gordon’s market and Boroko’s Tabari area.