With the high number of pretrial detainees at the Monrovia Central Prison, the government through the Justice Ministry has expressed concern about the large number of youth who are sent to jail for minor crimes.
Justice Minister Cllr. Tah, visiting the Monrovia Central Prison Saturday said while it is true that some of the youth presently at the prison are in prison for serious crimes, others who are there for petty offenses need to be given the second chance through the probation service to enable them correct their bad attitudes.
Cllr. Tah noted that keeping youth who are our future leaders with hardcore criminals in the prison for too long will lead them to do more harm to the society.
She further noted that the justice system of the country is not coordinating as it should be done and has led to the overpopulation of the Monrovia Central Prison and prolong detention of inmates at the prison.
The Liberia criminal Justice system consists of the Police, Court and the Correction or the Prison.
Justice Minister Tah disclosed that the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary are working together to reduce inmates at the prisons in the country due the over crowdedness.
Speaking to reporters after a tour at the MCP, the Liberia's Attorney General also disclosed plans of transferring Juvenile inmates from the Monrovia Central Prison to a rehabilitation center.
Cllr. Tah revealed that she is holding talks with the President Youth Adviser Emmanuel Dolo and the Minister of Youth and Sport for such plan for the relocation of Juvenile inmates.
The Minister did not say how soon will the Juvenile Center be ready but also said other plans are on the way to have the MCP population reduce.
Meanwhile the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Francis Korkpor, Monday held meeting with Magistrates in Montserrado County in an effort to work out plans in seeing how to reduce the number of inmates at the Prisons around the country.
