To decongest prisons, mainly, the Monrovia Central Prison, the new facility in Cheesmanbug, Montserrado County, has reportedly been completed at 70 percent.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said, the move is to ease mounting pressure on the overcrowded correctional system.
The Cheesman project, being spearheaded, is expected to provide much-needed relief to the severely overcrowded Monrovia Central Prison, or South Beach, where the inmate population has risen far beyond the original capacity.
The government has for the reason, acquired approximately seven acres of land in Cheesemanburg to construct the new correctional facility.
At the Executive Budget Hearing with the Security Sector, Acting Minister of Justice, Betty Lamin-Blamo, disclosed how the Cheesmanburg facility has progressed, with approximately 70 percent completed.
Madam Blamo said, the new facility will create additional space within correctional system, and address the severe congestion currently confronting Monrovia Central Prison.
South Beach Under Intense Pressure
The Cheesemanburg project comes at a time when Monrovia Central Prison is facing one of the most pressing correctional, and humanitarian challenges.
Built to accommodate approximately 374 inmates, the prison is now reportedly holding more than 1,500 detainees; putting the facility at more than four times its intended capacity.
The overcrowding has raised concerns about the welfare, health and security of inmates, and correctional officers. It has also placed enormous pressure on the government to provide adequate food, medical care, sanitation and other basic services.
Reports of inmates being forced to sleep in makeshifts, or in extremely congested conditions have further highlighted the severity of the crisis.
Some pre-trial detainees are said to have propounded the congestion.
Beyond the lack of physical space, authorities face another major challenge: the large number of people held in pre-trial detention.
More than 70 percent of the prison population is reportedly made up of pre-trial detainees, many of whom have not been convicted of a crime.
The prolonged detention of suspects awaiting trial has contributed to the overcrowding crisis. The situation has placed additional pressure on the correctional system, and raised concerns about delays within the criminal justice process.
