Mobile phones in prisons have reachedthe floor of Parliament this week.
Authorities reported that prison guards andthe aid of mobile phones were amongst some ofthe assisting tools for the Bemana escape.
This wasthe first agenda during question time.
Oro Governor Garry Juffa askedthe Correctional Services Minister Jim Simitab to explainthe use of mobile phones at Bemana jail outside Port Moresby.
Juffa came down hard onthe minister responsible not to provide privileges for prisoners.
“Prisoners are being fed three times a day,they have mobile phones,they have access to internetoand some of us are asking thatthey be ket out so thatthey can have sex withtheir wives. We have to start asking ourselves; Are we sending prisoners inthere to be punished or rewarded”.
Mr. Juffa said prisoners are put behind bars to servetheir time and not to be given special treatment.
Correctional Services Minister Jim Simatab said a United Kingdom consultant has been engaged to draft a policy on improvingthe conduct of officers, prisoners and improver security measures amongst thers.
Juffa not satisflied demanded immediate actions.
“What I want to know is can we do away those packs and privileges so thatthey are actually punished”.
Minister Simitab said an urgent cabinet submission will be made to look into imposing harsher penalties on prisoners.
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