Inmates at the Gbarnga Central Prison, who are serving different jail sentences, have complained of not having their days in court.

According to our correspondent who visited the prison compound on Sunday, October 23, 2005, the prisoners' complain of being in detention without charge or of not going through the due process of law.

One of the inmates, Lawuba Zayzay informed The Analyst that since he was arrested and detained on August 12, 2004 for allegedly shooting and killing his colleague Big-Boy Gayflor on a hunting expedition, he has not had his days in court.

Another inmate, Jimmy Roberts also told this paper that since he was arrested and remanded in December 2004 for allegedly killing his niece in Gbarnga, he has not been sent to court for trial.

Another of them, James Kerkula said he has held in detention for the past eight months without been invited to court. He is held for allegedly killing his grandmother in Gbarnga for two cups of pounded rice.

The inmates are serving jail sentences for different offenses ranging from theft of property, aggravated assault, man-slaughter and murder, and there are 19 inmates at the prison center.

The inmates then commended the Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) and the United Nations International Police Service (IPS) for the provision of food, medicines and other accessories given to the suffering prisoners.

The inmates also informed our reporter that all 19 of them are being remanded in a single room and cannot be separated due to the deplorable conditions of the other rooms in the prison. The Gbarnga Central Prison contains six rooms with every room having its own compartment but only one room has been renovated for use.

It was observed by this paper that most of the inmates sleep on the cold floor and are suffering from rashes and other skin irritations.

When The Analyst contacted the Ninth Judiciary circuit court in Gbarnga, the county Attorney Johnny K. Bemah admitted the long detention of prisoners at the prison center, but blamed it on the lack of defense counsels to represent the defendants in court.

Attorney Bemah indicated that lawyers who used to represent defendants in court have all left the court room for greener pastures, noting, "no lawyers want to come to the leeward counties to practice; everybody wants to live in Monrovia."

He said as the result of the absence of defense counsels in the county, the court is finding it extremely arduous to assign criminal cases on the trial docket.

At present, Bong Count is without defense counsels, and the only remaining but ailing defense counsel, G. Boona Sagbeh's presence is not be felt in the court.

Due to the lack of defense counsels, inmates may not likely have their days in court.