By Jack Lapauve – EM TV Port Moresby
Lakiemata Correctional Institute, in West New Britain, received a dingy boat and a vehicle recently from West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel.
The boat and vehicle were requested by the jail management, after a request to improve its services and management of the facility.
Speaking on behalf of the Institute, Commander Chief Inspector, William Maurauri, said the jail’s management depends entirely on annual budgetary allocation from the National Government, but delays from time to time.
Commander Maurauri said about 70% of the funds are spent on detainee’s rations alone.
Maurauri said the boat and vehicle is timely to boost the jail’s mobility especially for court circuits in Bialla and Kandrian.
Commander Maurairi also expressed the need for new staff houses and facilities for inmates. These include proper safe drinking water, standby generator, and new cell blocks.
Lakiemata has 58 Correctional officers of which 9 nine are female. A total of 226 remandees are housed at the Lakiemata Correctional Institute.
The boat and vehicle were purchased from Provincial Support Improvement Program (PSIP) funds.
