By Emmanuel Mafelah,Mafelahemmanuel129@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker has decried the overcrowded state of the Gbarnga Central Prison.
Madam Walker underscored the need for justice actors to exert more efforts aimed at decongesting the detention facility.
Speaking at the 9th Judicial Circuit Court during the opening of the November Term of Court recently, she said, “we are recommending that those who are sentenced be transferred to the correction center in Grand Gedeh County.”
Overcrowding and poor sanitation are shared problems among all detention facilities in Liberia, a situation that often precipitates spread of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and cholera.
Superintendent Walker added that she would work with the courts in the county to reduce the number of pretrial detainees at the Gbarnga Central Prison.
For his part, the Assigned Judge at the 9th Judicial Circuit in Bong County Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay said it was unfair to keep people behind bars for long periods without trial.
“While I’m here as Assigned Judge for this November term of Court, I will do all I can to help you and our people in rendering free and fair judgment”, the Assigned Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit promised”.
Also speaking at the court’s opening was the County Attorney of Bong Jonathan N. Flomo, who stressed the need for victims of criminal cases to be updated at all times on the status of their cases and to improve on how they go about doing that.
“Victims must be informed of rulings and legal findings into their cases to prepare them psychologically,” Atty. Flomo told the gathering.
He also wants jurors to be ethical in the discharge of their duties and to consider themselves as the direct representatives of the Justice Ministry in the courts.
“Your job is sacred, and not for money making”, he urged jurors, while at the same time calling on them to be sincere in the discharge of their functions.
County Attorney Flomo at the same time assured that he and team will adjudicate all criminal cases on the docket without fear or favour.