By CHARLIE DUMAVI
THE Bomana correctional service has opened a refurbished confinement unit to strictly monitor prisoners to prevent the spread of Covid -19.
The confinement unit was used as the maximum security unit or what some may call a dark cell in the past to keep high risk prisoners is now renovated with the help of the Australia government and was reopened for use today.
The unit is equipped with mattresses and beds each to a block and will facilitate the isolation and testing of Covid-19 cases starting with the 49 suspected Covid-19 detainees in the country. The separate confinement will keep the patient in just one building for closer observation and treatment that is away from the rest of the prisoners.
The opening of the refurbished separate confinement unit was done by the Correctional Service (CS) Minister Win Daki along with the Australian High Commissioner Jon Philip.
Philip said Australia is always happy to work with Papua New Guinea and both countries are always there for each other when in difficult times.
“With the outbreak of Covid-19 prisoners and those who protect the prisoners in the correctional service are in particular risk because of the confinement. PNG and Australia are historical friends and working closely with the CS Minister, we develop this to respond to Covid-19. This facility is identified as priority to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the prison compound and the detainees will be kept in a safe and healthy environment,” Philip said.
He also added that Australia will work closely with the CS, Royal PNG Constabulary and the PNG Defence Force to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Correctional Service Minister Win Daki was very thankful to the Australian government for always working closely with PNG government.
“I thank the Government of Australia for this very important facility through the Australian high Commission and its team for ensuring the successful delivery of the facility. Covid-19 is now a main issue faced by all prisons around PNG. Overcrowding is more conducive to the spread of Corona Virus. Therefore a separate confinement facility like this one is very necessary in jails to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and this facility is very timely and will serve its purpose in reducing the risks.