The Papua New Guinea Correctional Service has completed an assessment of armouries at Baisu and Buimo correctional facilities. The assessment that is supported by the Australian Government with technical assistance provided by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to reform and strengthen weapons management in the security sector in Papua New Guinea.
Effective armoury management is essential to ensure that these weapons are stored securely, accounted for, and do not pose a risk to staff, detainees, or surrounding communities.
The assessment conducted by MAG, evaluated armouries of correctional facilities covering physical security and structural integrity of armoury facilities. This included storage standards and compliance with international best practices for weapons management, and standard operating procedures for armoury management and training needs of personnel.
The assessment findings will inform development of an action plan to address identified gaps and improve armoury management across the correctional system. This will contribute to safer facilities and reduced risk of weapons diversion.
The action plan will include armoury upgrades and procedural improvements as well as delivering targeted training and capacity-building for correctional armoury personnel, and establishment of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress.
MAG’s Country Director Yeeshu Shukla said: “MAG is proud to have provided technical support to these assessments, recognising that better weapons management in PNG's correctional system has real benefits for community safety. The organisation looks forward to continuing its engagement through implementation of assessment findings and personnel capacity building.”
Armoury assessments are part of a series of activities being delivered by MAG with Australian Government support, aiming to assist PNG Correctional Services in preventing weapons and ammunition diversion through establishing high standards of armoury management.
ENDS
Group photo of MAG team with CS officers and Australia’s Consul-General in Lae, Mr Brenton Kanowski (centre), at Buimo Prison.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100