By: Yassah J Wright
“Feces are said to be leaving the septic tanks and backing up into the commodes in the various prisons.” -Family of a prisoner at Monrovia Central Prison Liberia’s biggest prison facility, the Monrovia Central Prison popularly called South Beach is gradually descending into chaos and what appears to be a major human right concern as reports continue to emerge of its over crowdedness. The prison which hosts some of the nation’s most notorious convicts and several pre-trial detainees is holding a record number far beyond its capacity. The prison which was initially constructed for Three Hundred persons currently holds over one thousand seven hundred inmates, including 1,606 adult males, 95 adult females, 15 juvenile males and two juvenile females. The current over crowdedness has raised concerns over essential human rights issues with lack of proper accommodation, feeding, health amongst others. There are daily reports of families of inmates accusing prison authorities of not properly giving care to both those convicted and those in pre-trial detention. There have also been significant alarms over the health of inmates due to lack of proper medication, feeding and accommodation. Inmates are said to be sleeping on the bare floor due to inadequate mattresses. Mattresses and sleeping accommodations are not available for everyone and some have to stand without sleeping. Due to these shortages, it’s reported that many inmates sleep in shifts; while some are sleeping, others are up waiting to have their turn to sleep on available mattresses. One family member who recently visited the Monrovia Central Prison to check on a family member expressed absolute regret over the poor handling of the welfare of inmates and the prison facilities.
“Why are they treating people with cruelty because they are in prison? No good food, sleeping areas or even health facilities” she lamented.
She added that the international community needs to regularly visit the prison to see the level of inhuman treatment being given to inmates.
Feces are said to be leaving the septic tanks and backing up into the commodes in the various prisons.
While the nation’s biggest prison is faced with these enormous challenges, the Judiciary sends people to prison daily as the number of inmates continues to grow exponentially.
Many citizens are now calling on the Ministry of Justice to quickly institute a major reform at the facility to avoid a disastrous humanitarian crisis at the prison.