District Court circuit continues at Beon Jail

The District Court in Madang is continuing to conduct court circuits at Beon Correctional Institution for remandees in order to cut down on unnecessary transport expenses and other logistical issues.

Acting OIC Police Prosecution, Senior Constable Eugene Wanai, revealed this during a recent talk show on NBC Madang whilst explaining the reasons for the ongoing District Court circuits at Beon jail.

"It's been six years since the court circuits at Beon Jail started through the wisdom of the former Senior Provincial Magistrate, Josephine Kilage. It was an initiative we embarked on under her leadership to help address some legacy issues that were disrupting the smooth progress of court sittings. Issues that we did not have any immediate solutions for. To date, this initiative has proven to be a success story on its own," Senior Constable Wanai said.

He said that the poor road condition between Madang Town and Beon Correctional Institution has led to prisoners escaping from moving vehicles when they slowed down to negotiate or maneuver through potholes. These issues are yet to be addressed, so the Beon court circuit continues monthly.

Senior Constable Wanai said, "The Beon Court circuits are now calendared events for police prosecutors as well as the Madang District Court. We go up to Beon in the last week of every month, and it's been good so far".

Although there is no electricity and no furniture, lawyers travel to Beon to help their clients.

"We previously used a classroom in one of the buildings as a makeshift courtroom until we were asked to relocate to the holding cell as they needed the room for other activities," Senior Constable Wanai said.

Wanai added that the court circuits at Beon have also helped to speed up cases.

"Some of the prisoners have been in remand for a long time, and this arrangement is actually helping in fast- tracking their cases. We cannot keep remandees waiting for months and years as this can impede on their constitutional rights," he said.

Senior Constable Wanai also said this arrangement is likely to continue in the meantime, so people do not miss out on this vital service.