Thirty-Five Correctional Services Officers from across the country are learning how to strengthen Papua New Guinea correctional reform, supported by Australia.
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning training will help PNG Correctional Service (PNGCS) track progress across correctional institutions, identify where challenges remain, and make better-informed decisions about priorities and resources.
Assistant PNGCS Commissioner Patty Kore thanked Australia for investing in the long-term capacity of the PNGCS. “This training should not be regarded as the end of an activity, but the start of a stronger culture of performance and accountability,” she said.
This staff development will support PNGCS to deliver its RESET@50 reform agenda, including stronger leadership and governance, more effective systems and operations, and better rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes.
Law and Justice Sector Secretariat Acting Director Joe Saferius welcomed the initiative, stating: “Improved reporting will strengthen transparency and trust in people we serve, but is not possible unless agencies have capacity.”
Superintendent Jacinta Nohou, who participated in the session, said, “one of the key lessons we took away from this workshop is that effective monitoring and evaluation is not simply reporting but is about effective practices to improve development outcomes. This type of training and professional development will improve our institution into the future.”
Professional development is part of the broader Australia–PNG Partnership with PNGCS, focused on the Service’s long-term reform. Recent cooperation has strengthened links between PNGCS and Australian correctional services, and supported work on gender equality and inclusion, prisoner welfare, rehabilitation and pre-release programs.
The Australia–Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership is a PNG law and justice sector-led initiative, with programs are identified through the National Coordinating Mechanism and delivered in partnership with sector agencies. Australia is proud to support practical, locally-led efforts that improve coordination and outcomes across the law and justice sector.
ENDS
The 35 trainees alongside the training staff, and senior members of the PNG Correctional Service (PNGCS), and representatives of the Australian High Commission.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100