Prisoners at the Bomana jail will start growing their own food soon, says jail commander Superintendent Haraha Kiddy Keko.
Last August the National Court ruled in a human rights proceeding that a prisoner had the right to be provided food to maintain their wellbeing and be served a balanced meal.
The PNG Justice Services and Stability for Development program, or JSS4D, has assisted the Bomana jail management with K50,000 worth of materials that will get its agriculture project underway.
“We have already moved into that level of growing our own food. I’m thankful to the JSS4D, coming into assist us with K50,000 materials to get the solar system and water pipes going at the agriculture setting so that we can start producing our own food, especially vegetables and so forth,” he said.
What is typically served at Bomana, as provided in evidence before the Waigani National Court in a human rights proceeding, is black tea and navy biscuit for breakfast, rice and either tinned fish or meat for lunch and dinner.
It is a requirement under section 123 of the Correctional Service Act for prisoners and detainees at the facilities to be fed food from the five food groups of staples, protein, fruit, vegetable and dairy.
Three prisoners, led by Dr. Theo Yasause, instigated a human rights case in 2015 against the Bomana Jail Commander, Haraha Keko, and the Correctional Service over meals provided at the prison.
Human rights judge, Justice David Cannings, in August last year described what was fed to prisoners as a non-nutritious diet, and said Commander Keko must comply with the CS Act and provide meals from the five food groups.
The court was also mindful of funding issues that Commander Keko and the Correctional Service will face at Bomana as a result of this case, but said they can apply to the court, under section 255 of the constitution, to request for adequate funding to be provided to them.
This newsroom enquired with the jail commander on his plans in addressing dietary issues faced by inmates following a National Court decision.
“Yes I am aware of that process but I’d like to do it on an administrative level rather than taking it to court; that’s the last resort I’m looking at.
“If people at my headquarters don’t take heed of it then that’s the last resort but I also understand and respect the situation we have on the national economy and that’s why I cannot push hard but go with what we can.
“So that’s been take from that end to address the issue,” Commander Keko added.
A jail visit by judge and lawyers last week saw some inmates drinking water from empty tins of fish. They were also fetching water from the same basins they use to get drinking water and wash their hands.
It was also discovered that children of female inmates who went to prison with their mothers were fed the same meal as other inmates.