10 Oct 2003

Fifth prison inmate dies from heart virus in PNG prison

12:13 pm on 10 October 2003

Prison officials in Papua New Guinea have confirmed that another inmate from Buimo jail has died from a heart virus.

This brings to five the number of inmates to die from the condition this year.

Remand prisoners, who are said to number about 200, have told the Post Courier newspaper that they want to be allowed bail to stay with their families while awaiting their trial.

The Morobe provincial government has taken court action against the national government on behalf of the inmates for gross human violations.

Last month, the national court ordered the partial closure of the jail for four years from March to allow for renovations.