The Boroko Police Station cells went under its final health inspection today by NCDC Health inspectors.
This is the first time after a while in which the cells blocks have been renovated since the facility was first built.
NCDC Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi during the tour this morning said until the holding cells are given the approval by the inspectors, the cells will be open for occupation by inmates.
The holding cells have had major maintenance and refurbishment since last year when it was condemned by the NCDC health inspections.
Environmental Health Senior Inspector Mathew Laba says since last year, the cell blocks have seen an immense improvement.
He says with the final report to be compiled from this inspection, the cells will definitely be reopened in the upcoming week.
The new look of the holding structure has 11 holding cells, a new fingerprint and photograph room, a cell for high risk criminals, a female cell block, toilets in each cell and a common shower, as well as a kitchen and storage room to store food.
Turi says unlike before, they will be trying to reduce the number of people being brought in to stay over two to three nights.
“We are aiming to improve the process and making things move quickly and accurately so we do not over crowd the holding cells.”
He adds that this is also to discourage people not visit unnecessarily and over crowd the entrance to the cell block.
Any police matters to deal with suspects brought in will all have to go through the watch house where they will have their papers sorted out and their photographs and fingerprint taken and before they are taken into a holding cell.
The holding cells are most likely to be opened by next week.
