Correctional Facilities Face Overcrowding, Weak Infrastructure

Prison Fellowship Liberia Country Director, Rev. Francis Kollie, has called for urgent reforms in Liberia’s justice system, citing inadequate prison infrastructure, overcrowding and limited access to legal representation as major challenges facing correctional facilities across the country.

Kollie said aging prison buildings and weaknesses in the justice system have created security concerns and contributed to persistent problems within the correctional system.

He identified the Kakata Central Prison, Gbarnga Central Prison and Monrovia Central Prison among facilities requiring significant improvements.

“Our biggest problems are systemic challenges and infrastructure challenges,” Kollie said, arguing that many correctional facilities are no longer adequate to accommodate the growing number of inmates.

He cited overcrowding at Kakata Central Prison, claiming that a facility designed to accommodate approximately 70 inmates was holding more than 300 people.

According to him, overcrowding places additional pressure on prison infrastructure and increases security risks.

While condemning prison escapes; he maintained that the government must address the underlying conditions contributing to challenges within correctional facilities.

“We don’t support prison escapes, and we condemn them, but we want to say that the government has a lot to do,” he said.

Kollie urged the government to prioritize the justice sector during preparations for the 2027 national budget, stressing that adequate funding should cover correctional facilities, judicial operations and rehabilitation programs.

He also called on Finance and Development Planning, Minister Augustine Ngafuan, to consult institutions and organizations working within the justice sector to ensure that budgetary allocations reflect their operational needs.

The Prison Fellowship Liberia Director disclosed that his organization intends to engage international partners to seek assistance for prison infrastructure improvements and rehabilitation initiatives.

He said the organization hopes to undertake major rehabilitation work at Kakata Central Prison, including improvements to its physical structures and security systems, but emphasized that government cooperation would be essential.

Beyond infrastructure, Kollie identified shortages of defense lawyers and delays in court proceedings as contributing factors to prison overcrowding.

He recalled previous initiatives involving former Chief Justice Johnny Lewis, the American Bar Association and law students who provided legal assistance to inmates.

Kollie called for similar programs to be revived and expanded to help inmates access legal representation and accelerate the processing of cases.

He also advocated for more consistent implementation of the magistrate sitting program beyond Monrovia, noting that transportation difficulties and the unavailability of lawyers sometimes disrupt court proceedings.

Kollie stressed that improving Liberia’s correctional system would require coordinated efforts among the government, judicial authorities, civil society organizations and international partners.