By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Over 500 dangerous prisoners are still at large throughout the country as Papua New Guinea prepares for the 2022 National elections, PNG Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis says
“And I’m mindful that these escapees will pose a threat to the communities to be engaged by candidates to intimidate and threaten voters to vote for candidates that they are alighted to. I’m now appealing to the public to report these escapees to the police and PNGCS. These escapees are also dangerous as they can turn around and harm (rape, murder, rob etc) members of their communities”.
Pokanis said on Thursday that there are prisoners who were still at large from previous jail break out throughout the country prior to 2020. “But for prison breaks from 2020 till March this year, 498 prisoners are at large from the total of 614 prisoners who had escape. Only 116 have been recaptured”.
Pokanis said that Beon prison in Madang has 100 escapees so far since 2020 and none of them have been recaptured and Baisu prison in Western Highlands is next with 89 escapees still at large. “Buimo jail in Morobe has 52 escapees still at large while Kerevat prison in East New Britain has 43 escapees still at large. Boram jail in East Sepik has 37 escapees still at large. Barawaghi prison in Chimbu Province has 28 escapees still at large and Lakiemata jail in West New Britain has 20 escapees still at large. Bomana prison in National Capital District has 18 escapees still at large and Bihute jail in Eastern Highlands has 17 escapees still at large. Manus prison in Manus Province has 14 escapees still at large. Bundaira prison in Eastern Highlands, Biru prison in Northern and Bui-lebi prison in Southern Highlands each have eight prisoners still at large. Daru prison and Ningerum prison both in Western has seven escapees still at large from these respective prisons. Giligili prison in Milne Bay has six escapees still at large. Kavieng prison in New Ireland and Bekut prison in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville has five escapees at large from these respective prisons and Vanimo jail in West Sepik has three escapees at large”.