Prison Supt. Concerned Over Overcrowding At Gbarnga Facility

By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
With a maximum capacity of 130 prisoners, the current population stands at over 317 thereby jeopardizing the safety and well-being of both inmates and correctional officers assigned at the Gbarnga Central Prison in Bong County.
The Superintendent of the Gbarnga Central Prison, Gbolomen Siakor, attributed the overcrowding to the backlog of cases and the alleged abandonment of legal proceedings by complainants.
She then called for the immediate intervention of the Ministry of Justice to expedite the trial process for pre-trial detainees to reduce congestion and restore order to the prison environment.
According to her, the Gbarnga Central Prison has exceeded its normal capacity.
“We have 317 inmates in here; out of this number, we have 17 females. The normal capacity of this facility is 130. We want to appeal to our partners for assistance,” she added.
The Gbarnga central prison Superintendent described the over-crowdedness of the prison as a serious challenge to its smooth operations.
Madam Siakor noted that the entity, over the years, strived to ensure that the rights of prisoners, including pre-trial detainees are observed, but said effort had been hindered by factors such as overcrowding, logistical constraints as well as the slow pace of investigation and prosecution, leading to prolonged stay in pre-trial detention.
She named the lack of electricity, medication for inmates, beds, among others, at the facility.
Madam Siakor made the statement in a joint interview with journalists on February 20, 2025 in Gbarnga, Bong County, during the tour of the facility by UNDP’s Resident Representative to Liberia, adding “we are calling on the UNDP for support to address these challenges.”
UNDP’s Resident Representative, Aliou Mamadou Dia, pledged to deepen collaboration and explore new avenues of partnership, stressing the need for innovative solutions and cohesive efforts to advance Liberia’s development aspirations.
He reiterated UNDP’s continued commitment to supporting Liberia’s strategic objectives and overcoming development challenges.
“UNDP remains committed to partnering with Liberia to drive progress toward development. Together, we can achieve transformative change and empower communities for a brighter future,” Mr. Dia stated.
He reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between the Government of Liberia and the UNDP in advancing sustainable development and addressing critical socio-economic challenges.
Mr. Dia further commended the Government of Liberia for its ongoing efforts to promote inclusive growth, good governance, and resilience in its ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The UNDP’s Resident Representative for Liberia also highlighted youth and women’s empowerment as he toured UNDP’s completed and ongoing projects in Lofa, Nimba, and Bong Counties.
He said over the years UNDP has supported multiple initiatives aimed at buttressing the efforts of the Liberian Government in the areas of governance, rule of law, access to justice, agriculture, etc.