By Patrick N. Tokpah
The Government of Liberia through the United Nations Development Program in partnership with the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) has ended a two-day joint program aimed at technically validating the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation plans in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The five-year strategic plan which runs from 2023 to 2027 is aimed at strengthening the rule of law, justice, and security for the Liberian people.
Reading a special statement during the opening ceremony on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Liberia Deputy Resident Representative, Lisa Karlsson said UNDP is proud of the longstanding partnership with the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Miss Karlsson averred that the partnership is crucial for fostering peace, and security and building democratic governance, the rule of law, and inclusive institutions; adding that the partnership with the BCR is also important to the strategic vision of the institution in creating a safe and secure society through the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
According to her, the role of the BCR is more important to address issues of prison overcrowding and pre-trial detention which are a joint effort; and UNDP is ready to provide support to BCR in addressing the issues of prison overcrowding and pre-trial detention to enhance access to Justice.
The UNDP Liberia Deputy Resident Representative further indicated that in other to enhance the quality of justice, it is important to address the human rights of prisoners, thus recounting recent reports which show that prison overcrowding is alarming and worrying, adding that even though over 70 % of the prison population are pre-trial detainees.
She further revealed that the current situation amplifies challenges as it related to lack of food, health care, and space and it is a situation that is not sustainable, and the human rights of prisoners need to be prioritized.
She committed UNDP’s partnership with the BCR to foster transformation which continues to provide training for BCR personnel on inmate care and human rights as well as strengthening the capacity of probation officers.
By supporting the development and validation of a strategic plan, UNDP, according to Miss Lisa Karlsson, has been able to leverage its strategic resources and technical competencies to enhance the transformation of the BCR to enhance its capacity to address issues of prison overcrowding and pre-trial detention.
In separate remarks, superintendents of various prison facilities across the country alarmed several challenges affecting the smooth operations of those prison facilities.
They named the lack of food for inmates, their health needs, and the overcrowding of prison facilities as key challenges they as prison superintendents face daily, thus calling on the government of Liberia and partners including the UNDP who sponsored the validation to be proactive in mitigating those challenges to avoid future embarrassment.
