By 
GHRD Research Team
RDNE Stock project, November 25, 2020
More budget allocated to jail facilities is expected to be utilised to refurbish the aged infrastructure and put in place vocational centres, which will be practical in resolving overcrowding problems and building the capacity of inmates.
On April 21st, 2025, Prime Minister James Marape visited the Bomana Correctional Services, where he brought food donations to the inmates and disclosed the development agenda for the country’s jail facilities. To set the agenda in motion, the government will dispense K230 million to rehabilitate outdated Correctional Services establishments since most existing buildings were constructed in the colonial period between the 1970s and 1980s. Another part of the plan is to set up Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) to open the doors for the inmates to learn new skills.
The renovations, which will commence this year, will help revitalise the deteriorating amenities, such as the administration office, access roads, perimeter barriers, personnel quarters, and prisoner compound. Overcrowding has been an issue due to the limited space, and this move will address these problems while preventing the health risks associated with this predicament. Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged the difficulties encountered by female detainees, particularly those who are affected by domestic violence, and pledged to examine these cases.
At the same time, initiating TVET will equip inmates with competence in diverse trades, including electrical maintenance, mechanics, and woodcraft. Through this programme, prisoners have the opportunity to empower and transform themselves so they can potentially assimilate into society as dependable citizens.
By tackling structural issues and organising vocational training, the government of Papua New Guinea contributes to the conducive reform of inmates by offering them the chance to become better individuals and reintegrate into the community smoothly, thereby decreasing the possibility of relapsing or falling back into bad habits. Even though the inmates are charged offenders, they are still capable of changing when provided with proper support.
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