Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has outlined an ambitious 20- year vision for Papua New Guinea Correctional Services (PNGCS), emphasising discipline, rehabilitation, and economic contribution through vocational training.
Speaking during a meeting on Sunday, February 16, 2025, with PNGCS Minister Hon. Joe Kuli, Acting Commissioner Bernard Nepo, and other senior officers and staff, Prime Minister Marape commended PNGCS for being the most disciplined force among the country’s security agencies and challenged its leadership to elevate its role in nation-building and rehabilitation.
“PNGCS is not just about imprisonment; it is about correction and rehabilitation. We must equip our inmates with skills so they can return to society as productive citizens,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister emphasised that every correctional institution must have a fully operational vocational training programme, ensuring that inmates gain valuable skills. He noted that PNG’s prisons already house skilled individuals such as accountants, lawyers, and teachers, who should be utilised productively within the system.
“We must move beyond just feeding prisoners three meals a day and having them clean. They should be learning skills—carpentry, cabinet-making, electrical work—so they can reintegrate into society as productive citizens,” he said.
To improve prison security and efficiency, the government is considering the implementation of biometric technology, including fingerprint and facial recognition systems, to better monitor and track inmates.
“We need a smarter way to manage security—repeat offenders must be properly profiled to ensure safer reintegration,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of developing industries within PNGCS, which could help reduce costs and contribute to local economic development.
“If we integrate prison labour into productive industries, the labour cost will be much lower. Instead of idly sitting, inmates can be trained in industries that will help them reintegrate into society while also reducing costs for the state,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also reflected on security challenges faced by law enforcement, particularly the “Black Wednesday” incident, when officers had to maintain security with limited ammunition. He praised PNGCS personnel for their discipline and dedication, noting that they completed their duties without demanding extra allowances.
Prime Minister Marape called on PNGCS leadership to think beyond short-term operations and work towards a transformative correctional system that will define PNG’s future by 2045.
“Think back to where you were in 2005. Now imagine where you want to be in 2045. What impact do you want to make? What legacy do you want to leave behind for your children? The time for action is now,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in correctional services, security, and rehabilitation programmes, ensuring that PNGCS is not just a detention facility but a key contributor to PNG’s development.