On Thursday, September 21, 2023, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia made a donation of seventeen pieces of 36x75x6” mattresses to the Monrovia Central Prison, for use by the female and juvenile inmates.
While making the presentation of the mattresses, Atty. Christine Tenneh Dono spoke on behalf of the Waging Justice for Women Fellowship Program, sponsored by the Clooney Foundation for Justice and the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia. She stated that at the launching of the Waging Justice for Women Fellowship Program in Liberia, the President, Atty. Philomena Williams, stated that “In the implementation of the Waging Justice for Women Fellowship program, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia visited with female inmates and juvenile detainees at the Monrovia Central Prison. The inmates, amongst other concerns, alleged arbitrary arrest and life-threatening prison condition. She highlighted AFELL’s commitment to ensure access to justice and to work with the Government to address issues flagged out in the 2022 Human Rights Report on Liberia.”
Atty. Dono informed the prison Superintendent that based on AFELL’s call to improve the prison condition of inmates, we are pleased to present to you these mattresses from an anonymous individual. She further stated that “We hope that this small token will be used to alleviate some of the harsh living conditions of female inmates and juvenile detainees here at the Monrovia Central Prison.”
In response, Mr. Varney Lake, Superintendent of the Monrovia Central Prison, expressed heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia and all other partners for the kind gesture and support to the Prison Facility and the government and people of Liberia. He stated “We appreciate the quality of mattresses you provided. We received some mattresses from a donor but the mattresses are very tin. The female inmates expressed heartfelt gratitude to AFELL for the mattresses and the work they continue to do to ensure access to justice for women, children, and indigent persons in Liberia.
