Counselling service is the main rehabilitation program needed not only at Lae’s Buimo jail but also in the other jails around the country.
Buimo’s Welfare and Rehibitation officer, Sergeant Arnold Juvai, says rehabilitation programs help boost inmates’ confidence and self-esteem.
Juvai says, this was evident after witnessing the reaction of 72 prisoners graduating with a certificate after completing a bible course training a week ago.
The training was sponsored by the Gospel Bible Institute of Australia.
It started in 2013, and has held three graduations since it began. As one day they will return to their family and live with the community, holistic rehabilitation is key.
Therefore, there is a need to identify two different sets of programs to help prisoners from the rural areas and those from the urban centers.
The biggest challenge for the Buimo jail is the need to provide counselling services to the inmates. For now, the CS officers do what they can to help the prisoners.
The Lutheran Church has started providing counselling. But, needs to make a formal agreement to continue providing the service.
