Prison breakouts

This was confirmed by Acting commander of the Kavieng Correctional Institution, Inspector Lamasisi Marengi.

He said in New Ireland they have a good jail. It’s not like other institutions where prisoners constantly break out.

Inspector Marengi, who is a local from the Tigak LLG, has spent 40 years in the correctional service field.

He said he’s been to other prison camps like Buimo and Bomana that have experienced a number of escapes but when he arrived in New Ireland, nothing of that sort has happened.

This was stressed by the Commissioner for Correctional Service, Michael Waipo, during a recent interview with this newsroom.

“With that, we could easily play psychological operations in terms of having armed men visible. The visibility of a staff being in possession of a firearm in the institution will certainly have an impact on how the prisoner might want to execute his intention; whether to make a break or not.”

Additionally, specific instructions have been given to CS officers to get out there and be present on the ground.

He said the issue at hand now is funding and seeing that 2017 is almost ending, investigators will be moving in to probe the breakout situation at Kerevat next year.

Waipo said another team of investigators will also be sent to Biru prison following its recent breakout, including Buimo prison in Lae.

“Actually, we have sent a team of 11 officers over to Buimo just to support them address the manpower issue but basically they are going there to support the existing staff contain security.”

(CS Commissioner Michael Waipo)