There was an unsuccessful attempted mass break out by prisoners at Baisu Jail in Western Highlands province on the weekend.
Correctional Service (CS) Commissioner, Michael Waipo, released a statement to EMTV News this afternoon explaining that it was planned, after two of their attempts on Wednesday and Friday were unsuccessful.
Commissioner Waipo said the prisoners, both convicted criminals and remandees, had planned the escape a month or two in advance. They executed it on Saturday afternoon during their lockup time, when there was not enough manpower on duty.
Water and sewerage pipes were destroyed along with cooking utensils during the attack.
Some of the prisoners decided to break the walls of the cells that separated the convicted criminals from the remandees. During the riot they used stones and other objects inside the compound to attack duty CS officers.
The warders managed to hold the prisoners at bay until the police arrived and controlled the situation. 31 high risk prisoners have been dispatched to Mendi Jail, while medium and low risk prisoners have been kept back at the Minimum Security Unit at Baisu.
All remandees were moved to the juvenile section.
Baisu Jail Commander, Superintendent Timbi Kaugla, could not use the new female wing because it is still under construction.
This morning about 20 ring leaders in the riot, who are also remandees, were hand-picked and sent to Barawagi Jail in Simbu province.
One remandee was shot in his leg and received pellet wounds.
