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Liberia: Inmates Suffocated, No Trial, Food, Medication
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The NEWS (Monrovia)
19 March 2008
Posted to the web 19 March 2008
Alloycious David
Monrovia
"We have to let the prisoners out of their cells to enable them search for food and medication. They are humans; we can't allow them to die from hunger and sickness," Patrick K. Dweh, a jailer assigned at the Central Prison in the Costal City of Grand Cess, Grand Kru County said in an interview.
Mr. Dweh, the only prison officer in the city disclosed that the government was holding three persons beyond statutory period without trial.
He explained that some of the inmates who were charged with murder through witchcraft, rape and other offenses have been detained for more than one year without providing food for them.
Mr. Dweh said he personally provides food for the inmates occasionally from money he generates from fishing. He indicated that government has done little or nothing to provide food for the inmates.
Dweh: "I have approached some local government officials and those in Monrovia on this matter, but I am yet to receive redress from the Ministry of Justice."
The jailer alleged that magistrates in the area imprison and release people at will.
Dweh disclosed that the original prison facilities were in ruin and has moved with the inmates in a building hosting the Grand Cess Magistrate Court which is also not in good condition.
One of the inmates, Patrick Togba, told the NEWS at Grand Cess prison center that he was detained in the early part of 2007 on allegation of witchcraft in Boah Town.
The 67-year-old inmate said he had no hope of being acquitted because, since his detention, he has not been arraigned before a court.
Togba explained that he and other inmates have been subjected to hard labor including brushing of farms and private yards only for food.
He is appealing to the Government through the Ministry of Justice to prosecute them or drop charges. Togba is also appealing for government to provide inmates at the Grand Cess prison with food.
While in the county, the NEWS observed that due to the non-functioning of the circuit court, magistrates were handling cases above their jurisdiction.
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It was also gathered that some alleged criminals were turned over to their family members due to the lack of prison facilities in places like Barclayville.
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