2023 looks to be an exciting year for the Correctional Services, with several activities set in place such as the remodelling of prisons and rehabilitation programs, that are primary objectives.
CS Commissioner, Stephen Pokanis says they are now looking to devise new Infrastructure Modelling plans to ensure that prisons and rehabilitation facilities are up to standard and with less cost.
“We are looking at designing facilities with low cost but addresses all the security, health and other criteria to ensure that the Prisons are conducive for our prisoners and remand detainees.”
Pokanis said they will be mainly focusing on designing prison and will be seeking assistance from the Government to fund the rehabilitation.
This will also compliment their plans in the upgrade and classification of facilities around the country to High Risk, Medium Risk and Low Risk.
Low Risk facilities will basically Rehabilitation centers. Referencing Bomana, Pokanis stated that due to its size, they would be able to accommodate many prisoners.
“For instance, Bomana because it’s big, they would have all those in place. It would have High, Medium and Low risk facilities.”
“Specific facilities will cater for low risk prisoners who are classified will work on technical or agricultural rehabilitation programs and they can be able to go out for TVET studies.”
Meanwhile, further down the line, Pokanis added that CS will be adding a new women’s dormitory in East Sepik to cater for women with children and women living with disabilities separately which will be self-contained.
“This will be the first state of the Art facility in the country while a new men’s dormitory will be constructed in Milne Bay.”
More upgrades and redevelopments are expected to follow.