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“I want to run a prison that is habitable, that human beings can live in with dignity” Government official, July 2011

Liberia’s government, still struggling to rebuild It is true that some of these resource the country after a 14-year internal armed problems are also experienced by the conflict, has stated its determination to improve general population in Liberia. However, the prison system. However, conditions in prison inmates are under direct state Liberia’s prisons are so poor that they violate control and completely dependent on the basic human rights. Prison inmates are state to meet their most basic needs. crowded into dark, dirty cells, without Irrespective of resource constraints, the adequate food, sanitation or health care. Some government must put in place a system that suffer permanent damage to their physical or ensures the basic human rights of those in mental health as a result. Most have not been its custody. In all circumstances, the convicted of any crime. The vast majority are government has a clear and binding people living in poverty, without access to obligation not to expose prison inmates to consulted government officials, correctional lawyers and with few financial resources. conditions that constitute cruel, inhuman officers, ex-prisoners, Liberian NGOs, and degrading treatment. If continued international NGOs and UN bodies. To Amnesty International delegates visited four international assistance and co-operation is respect the confidentiality of interviewees, prisons in Liberia, some more than once, in 2010 necessary for the government their names have been withheld or and 2011. The problems they found include: to meet its human rights obligations, the changed. To protect their identity, faces of government should seek such support. inmates are not shown in photographs. n severe overcrowding in some prisons Amnesty International notes that the issue Amnesty International presented its findings n grossly inadequate health services of prison conditions was raised during the and requested feedback from the Bureau of Universal Periodic Review of Liberia in Corrections and Rehabilitation within the n inadequate food and drinking water November 2010. Ministry of Justice in August 2011. Amnesty International welcomes the four-page detailed n lack of adequate light, ventilation and Amnesty International delegates visited response from the government, which has time outdoors Monrovia Central Prison, Gbarnga Central been taken into account in this document. Prison, Sanniquellie Central Prison and n poor hygiene and sanitation Zwedru National Palace of Corrections. Amnesty International would like to thank Numerous inmates spoke to the delegates all of those who shared their story, and the n lack of basic necessities such as clean about access to justice and prison Liberian government for allowing access bedding and toiletries. conditions. Amnesty International also into the prisons.

Amnesty International September 2011 Index: AFR 34/001/2011 Top : The walls in Monrovia Central Prison are l a n

covered in drawings and messages, most o i t a

written in a black powder made from grinding n r e t

the contents of used batteries. There are few n I

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windows, and even fewer lights. s e Right : A blanket is the only privacy provided n m A for the bathroom in a cell holding boys under © 18 years old at Gbarnga Central Prison (Bong County), July 2011. Gbarnga Central Prison is the only prison to be run by a female superintendent. Cover : Liberia’s prisons are dilapidated, dark and dirty. Monrovia Central Prison, April 2011.

“All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”

Article 10(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Liberia in 2004

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“Overcrowded and unhygienic prison POSITIVE STEPS conditions, together with lack of access to Since the end of the armed conflict in decent food, medicine, fresh air, daylight, 2003, the government has made significant and communication with the outside world progress in its efforts to overcome the soon amount to cruel, inhuman or legacy of conflict. Donors, NGOs, and degrading treatment, even in the absence the peacekeeping forces of the UN Mission of any physical violence.” in Liberia (UNMIL) have worked closely Former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred with the Liberian authorities to rebuild the Nowak, Journal of Human Rights Practice, 2009 criminal justice system. The President, Minister of Justice, and other key government officials have stated that they are committed to change and are trying to THE PRISON SYSTEM implement sector-wide reform.

Liberia’s prisons are managed by the Bureau The Ministry of Justice has allowed frequent of Corrections and Rehabilitation which is prison visits by national and international NGOs under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. (including Amnesty International), prison There are 15 prison facilities in Liberia. monitors and UN bodies. In December 2010 the UN Sub-committee for the Prevention of Rules and guidelines on the treatment of Torture visited many places of detention. The Liberia’s prisoners are set out in the 1973 Committee’s findings and recommendations Criminal Procedure Code and the 1989 Prison are confidential, but the government could Rules and Regulations. A draft National opt to make its report public to ensure that Prison Reform Act has been approved by the recommendations are addressed adequately. House of Representatives and is currently pending before the Senate. The proposals In July 2011 President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in the draft Act include rehabilitation of announced the roll-out of an ambitious inmates and a semi-autonomous Bureau of 10-year National Health Policy and Plan. Corrections and Rehabilitation. To the credit of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, prison health services are The Human Rights Unit of the Ministry of incorporated into the cornerstone of the Across the country’s prisons, new building Justice investigates complaints of human policy – the new Essential Package of work and renovations are taking place. At rights abuses within the justice systems. Health Services (EPHS). It includes a Monrovia Central Prison, however, many While they only have restricted legal powers, physical and mental health assessment people suggested that repairs are a waste of they do frequently monitor prisons and report upon entry into the prison; inspection of resources – a new site is needed. One to the Minister of Justice. Many other prison skin diseases; voluntary pregnancy testing; official told Amnesty International, “I don’t monitors such as ICRC, Prison Fellowship health inspection of premises; distribution want to put any more money into that place. and Rescue Alternatives Liberia, also receive of insecticide treated mosquito nets; What we need to do is build a new prison.” and report complaints of prisoners. Amnesty fumigation of facilities; ensuring availability This sentiment was shared by many of the International heard from inmates and prison of hygiene items; provision of first aid staff there. The Ministry of Justice has staff about an informal system of complaints supplies; and identification, treatment and bought 31 acres of land outside Monrovia within the prisons. prevention of communicable diseases for a new central prison, which could and others. alleviate overcrowding. However, it alone will So-called “Five Star Generals” (prisoners not address the systemic changes needed responsible for the inmates in their cells) The inclusion of prison health services into the within the prison service to ensure inmates’ receive and report complaints to prison EPHS is a welcome development, but basic human rights or reduce the high guards. Whether or not this system works, immediate action is needed to improve percentage of pre-trial detainees who it is no substitute for a proper regulated conditions, including access to health care, languish in prison. confidential complaints mechanism. for Liberia’s prison inmates.

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The government, NGOs and the UN are trying to reduce the large number of pre- trial detainees through reforms such as a Magistrate Sitting Program (MSP), also known as the Fast-track Court, which has led to the release of roughly 2,000 inmates accused of misdemeanours since it started in 2009. The Ministry of Justice is also piloting a parole and probation system in Monrovia and Gbarnga with the aim of extending it to all 15 counties. Yet, as one Liberian NGO worker told Amnesty International: “For every prisoner they release, they bring in five.”

Poor prison conditions and prolonged pre-trial detention are among the factors behind unrest in Liberia’s prisons. There were 10 attempted prison escapes in 2010. JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILURES involving the police in petty disputes. Disturbances also occurred at prisons in “When you commit a crime you are Prisoners are typically detained for months, Monrovia, Kakata, Gbarnga and Buchanan, supposed to be judged but here there and sometimes even years, before they are according to UNMIL (UNMIL Secretary is no judgment.” brought to trial. General’s 22nd progress report to the Male detainee in Monrovia Central Prison Security Council). Order was restored once The backlog has led to severe overcrowding officials agreed to address inmates’ demands, An estimated 1,500 to 1,700 people are in some of Liberia’s prisons. This has a which included an end to pre-trial detention currently held in prison in Liberia. Of these, serious effect on the health and safety of the and provision of medical care. only about 300 have been convicted of a prisoners and on the working conditions of criminal offence. The rest are in prison on prison staff. Monrovia Central Prison holds remand, awaiting trial due to the backlog roughly half of the country’s total prison DARK, DIRTY AND CRAMPED in the justice system. Roughly 80 per cent population. While the prison is officially able Cells are cramped, dirty and poorly lit. In of prison inmates are pre-trial detainees. to accommodate 374 inmates, not all of the most, a single small window high up the The judiciary does not have the capacity cells are in use because of damage to doors wall serves as the main source of light and to hear cases in a timely manner and this from previous escape attempts or long- fresh air. Some inmates complained of is compounded by numerous factors standing wear and tear. Its actual capacity is impaired vision, which they attributed to the including inadequate police investigations, therefore less than 374, but at the time of darkness of the cells even in the daytime. too few public defenders, lack of transport Amnesty International’s most recent visit in and court room facilities, corruption, refusal July 2011, it was holding 839 prisoners, Prisoners also complained of mosquitoes, of witnesses to testify and a culture of more than twice its capacity. cockroaches and other insects in their cells.

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Top : Cell Block D, built during the Second World War, is the worst block in Monrovia Central Prison, July 2011. Above : No prisons in Liberia have running water. In Monrovia Central Prison, inmates place their water bottles through the cell windows so that they can be filled by inmates who are allowed to go outside. Left : A hammock improvised from sacking and slung high above the floor in a crowded cell. Prisoners have been injured by falling in their sleep. Cell Block D, Monrovia Central Prison, July 2011.

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A 17-year-old boy told Amnesty ensure its cleanliness.” Some sentenced prisoners in Monrovia Central International, “Roaches come out of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prison have beds on which to sleep, but their toilets.” Detainees in Gbarnga Central Prisoners, Rule 19 mattresses are filthy and thin from use, April Prison said that rats often entered their 2011. cell and ate their food. A 16-year-old In Monrovia Central Prison, up to eight men boy in Gbarnga Central Prison said, routinely sleep in cells approximately 2 x 3 “There are plenty of mosquitoes and no metres in size (Block D). They sleep sitting blanket to cover up at night. It’s hard to up or in shifts because of the lack of space. the rainy season when the floor is cold or sleep because they bite you all night Some have created makeshift hammocks damp. The lack of blankets also keeps the long.” Given the high prevalence of malaria out of sacks slung 3 to 4 metres above the prisoners cold at night. Although the prisons and other insect-borne diseases across ground. Prisoners and prison staff reported received a donation of beds in 2007 and Liberia, these conditions have serious that people sometimes break their ribs or 2009 from Prison Fellowship, a Christian implications for prisoners’ health. dislocate their shoulders from falls NGO, staff at Monrovia Central Prison stated sustained while sleeping. that they had to be removed from the men’s “Every prisoner shall, in accordance block holding pre-trial detainees because with local or national standards, be Many inmates throughout Liberian prisons of the risk that their iron frames could be provided with a separate bed, and with do not have beds or even mattresses on used in riots or breakouts. Where foam separate and sufficient bedding which which to sleep. Almost all prisoners mattresses are available, they are in pieces shall be clean when issued, kept in complained of body aches because they and not cleaned routinely or even between good order and changed often enough to had to sleep on the floor, which is worse in use by different prisoners.

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© Glenna Gordon The amount of time prisoners spend outdoors varies between prison and category of prisoner. Convicted prisoners are allowed time outside more frequently than pre-trial detainees. Correctional officers told Amnesty International that due to the shortage of staff, many prisoners do not have the standard one hour a day of exercise required by Liberia’s own laws and recommended by the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Under Chapter 34 Section 12 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Code, “Every prisoner who is not employed in outdoor work shall have at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily if the weather permits.” However, several groups of boys under 18 years old in Monrovia Central Prison reported only going outside for a “sunbath” once a week. Staff there said that prisoners © Amnesty International do not go outside on Monday, Wednesday or Friday unless they have visitors.

In prisons where overcrowding is not a problem, prisoners spend more time outdoors. For example, at Gbarnga Central Prison, inmates go outside every day for one hour unless it is raining.

The prison authorities for the most part separate prisoners by category: pre-trial, sentenced, women and children. However, many children under 18 years reported being kept in police cells with adults.

SANITATION AND HYGIENE “You gotta use the toilet amongst your friends. It’s embarrassing. You eat and use the bathroom in the same cell.” Male sentenced prisoner in Monrovia Central Prison

“It’s not easy using the toilets. We have Top : Time out of doors is precious for people Above : The cells holding boys do not have beds diseases now because of the toilets. When held in dark and cramped prison cells, but staff or even enough foam mattresses. Where there I sit on the toilet, hot air comes up. It shortages mean that many are not spending are mattresses, they are damaged and dirty. smells and it causes rash. I am not the sufficient time outdoors. Inmates with special Monrovia Central Prison, July 2011. only one with rash down there. privileges are allowed out to perform tasks, such Everyone does.” as collecting water, every day. Male pre-trial detainee in Gbarnga Central Prison

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Lack of sanitation facilities and clean Almost all prisoners interviewed by Amnesty There are only two manual water pumps for running water is a challenge all across International complained of rashes on their more than 800 inmates in Monrovia Central Liberia. In the prisons, however, the effects groin and upper thighs. They believe this Prison. Prisoners take turns collecting buckets are particularly serious because of was due to the “heat” that came out of the or jerry cans of water and taking them to the overcrowding and restrictions on freedom toilets because of backed-up sewage. One cells, April 2011. of movement. detainee explained that gas was building up in the latrines, and it was irritating his The smell of sewage is strong in many of skin. More likely, according to health the cells and there is little or no privacy. professionals at John F Kennedy Hospital Lack of running water compounds the Because of a shortage of staff to escort who have treated many inmates from problems of sanitation and hygiene. them to communal latrines, many prisoners Monrovia Central Prison, skin diseases are According to staff, prisoners receive a 5 have to defecate and urinate in buckets or a result of scabies, fungus, ringworm and litre jug of water every day per cell. At bottles. In cell block D in Monrovia Central poor hygiene – problems compounded by Monrovia Central Prison, prisoners also use Prison, detainees said that between 4pm the lack of toilet paper and soap. a makeshift pulley system to lower empty and 8am there is no one to take them to the water bottles out of their cell windows to be latrine. When Amnesty International visited, “I bathe every day, but no soap. I feel dirty filled at the two hand pumps by other the indoor communal latrines were filthy and have rash between my legs from the prisoners working outside. The distribution and dark. The strong stench was heat in the toilet.” of water in the cells is also of concern. overwhelming and the floors were flooded Female prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment Inmates fill dirty buckets with water that sits with dirty water. stagnant in their cells. They drink from used

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The International Committee of the Red Cross is working with the Liberian government to improve water and sanitation at the prison.

“The food is bad…the drinking water is salty. It is no good. It comes from the dirty sea right here on the edge of Monrovia. Look at the garbage in the sea here. We drink water contaminated with this.” Male former inmate of Monrovia Central Prison

The Ministry of Justice noted that water all over Monrovia sometimes seems to be a little salty, but has been proven to be “medically harmless”.

Many prisoners complained of insufficient food and the poor quality of what they do receive. The majority of prisoners interviewed said they only eat once a day, usually around lunchtime, despite assurances from some staff that meals are served twice daily. According to the Ministry of Justice, inmates are provided adequate meals twice a day and receive more food than the average Liberian would have for a day. Meals generally consist of rice and soup. However, at Monrovia Central Prison many inmates reported eating plain rice only, which they call “dry rice”.

Under Liberia’s own laws, “Each prisoner shall be provided with good and wholesome food, properly prepared under sanitary conditions, and in sufficient quantity and Top : The communal bathrooms at Monrovia Above : The latrines in the cells for boys reasonable variety.” (Chapter 34, section Central Prison are dark, wet and dirty. There under 18 at Monrovia Central Prison are dirty 10, Criminal Procedure Code). isn’t enough water for the inmates to bathe and offer no privacy. Many complained that with any regularity, and there is no plumbing. cockroaches come out of the toilets. According to the Ministry of Justice, prisons receive an allocation of rice purchased in

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bulk for the prison system and an allowance wasting. Prisoners with family members Monrovia Central Prison, April 2011. Many for other foodstuffs distributed according to nearby who visit have a definite advantage prisoners complain of not getting enough food, prison population. However, Amnesty when it comes to obtaining food and and that the food they do get is of poor quality. International was told by prison staff that other supplies. supplementary food is provided when the individual prison’s operational budget allows, when it is grown on site, brought in GROSSLY INADEQUATE HEALTH Monrovia Central Prison is the only prison in by prisoners’ families or bought with the CARE Liberia with an on-site clinic staffed by prisoner’s own money (Monrovia Central “From the time I was there, there is a qualified clinician. However, the clinic Prison has an on-site canteen with limited something wrong with my eye. Look, you lacks essential drugs and basic supplies. supplies). can see. I am afraid I am getting blind. My In some other prisons, where space allows, eye was not itching before. My eye was makeshift temporary sick bays have Health experts interviewed by Amnesty scratching and itching in there, that’s the recently been organized to enable a visiting International also expressed concern over problem I got in there. They never took me clinician to offer care in a dedicated space. the lack of vegetables and protein to JFK (hospital). Nothing. Nowhere. They However, most of the time correctional incorporated in the soup. Many prisoners were going to go to the hospital but they officers act as the first line of care, despite complained of symptoms commonly said no gas for the car to go.” lacking the medical knowledge necessary associated with malnutrition such as Male former prisoner from Monrovia Central Prison to assess and treat ill prisoners. In addition, weakness, tingling or numbness of the most prisons do not even have first-aid extremities, loss of vision and muscle supplies.

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© Glenna Gordon © Amnesty International David was arrested for trying to steal a car radio. He says that during his arrest, police beat him on the arms and head with sticks. He was taken to Monrovia Central Prison to await trial. While Amnesty International delegates were visiting he arrived at the clinic with an open fracture (bone protruding from the skin) of his left arm, which was visibly deformed, swollen and infected. He complained of pain but was not in any visible distress. He said he had told prison warders about his arm but had not been referred to the prison clinic for eight days. Following an assessment, he was referred to the local hospital but it was unclear when he would be transferred. As a result of these delays, he was at high risk of serious infection and permanent disability.

Moses, 23 years old, came from Guinea with a friend to Liberia in search of work. While working in a mechanics shop, he was accused of stealing a car radio, which he denies. He was detained in Monrovia Central Prison pending trial. He says, “I spent one year six months in Monrovia Central Prison and I went blind six months ago (in prison). No pain or itching. Just going blind. Not once I was allowed to go out into the sunshine. Just in the hallway sometimes or shower…after one year four months they brought me outside in the sun because I tried to kill © Amnesty International myself. They brought me to the superintendent and the pastor and I tried to forget this idea. One time they carry me to JFK (John F Kennedy Hospital) for my eyes. I got tablets for three days. But the medicine didn’t help. I asked so many times to go to the hospital. They said no. For me to go even that one time it was not easy.” Since his release, he has been unable to venture far from the prison. He has no family in the area and survives through the charity of those around him. He says he has not spoken to his family in over two years.

Prisons struggle to provide medical care medical assessments upon admission. because of a lack of drugs and trained staff. Without this it is impossible to determine Correctional officers told Amnesty the risk of communicable diseases or the International they do not have enough treatment needs of incoming prisoners. A vehicles to drive prisoners to hospitals. In basic health assessment of prisoners at most prisons this means primary healthcare time of entry is required by Liberian law Top : Monrovia Central Prison is the only prison in provision is extremely limited: common (Chapter 34, Section 8 of the Criminal Liberia with an on-site clinic staffed by a qualified conditions such as malaria, skin infections Procedure Law). Such assessments would clinician but it lacks essential medicines and and eye problems are often not treated; also distinguish between pre-existing enough staff to treat prisoners adequately. prisoners are transported mainly for illnesses and those contracted during Above : Although a notice outside the clinic at emergencies and even then immediate incarceration. A more comprehensive Monrovia Central Prison advertises free medical transfer is not always possible. Screening, system of record keeping and data care, most prisoners complained that when diagnosis and treatment of illnesses are management would allow for data analysis they visit the clinic they are sent back to their grossly inadequate. and improvements in health service cells without receiving any drugs. Many delivery. prisoners in the cells who were very ill did not Adding to the difficulty in identifying and go to the clinic. treating ill prisoners is the lack of initial

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“The hard thing was heat and mosquitoes. The women’s cells at Monrovia Central Prison Others complained of having malaria, which There are no screens. No bed nets. You get are less crowded than the men’s cells. Women is very common throughout the country. bitten so much. So many people get sick.” complained of a lack of clean water and soap, Woman former inmate as well as lack of privacy in the toilets and for bathing. PRISONERS WITH ADDITIONAL Prisoners are exposed to an extremely high NEEDS risk of communicable diseases while Women, juveniles and individuals with incarcerated, which also poses health risks mental disability are some of the groups for the wider community. There is no HIV tuberculosis (TB), they were often unable to that face particular risks in prisons and testing in prisons and while the infection isolate affected inmates due to limited have distinct health and social needs. rate of HIV in Liberia is reportedly low space. Implementation of the treatment compared to many other African countries, regime recommended by the World Health Approximately 50 women are held in prison populations often have higher HIV Organization is also difficult due to resource Liberia’s prisons. There are no separate rates than the general population. constraints. women’s prisons, but women are held in Unquestionably, HIV-positive inmates have blocks or cells separate from the men. gone unidentified and untreated. Many inmates appeared to have red, Female correctional officers supervise the infected eyes. They also complained of women’s block. One prison health expert told Amnesty itching eyes and several prisoners and International that while most correctional former prisoners complained of impaired Overcrowding is not as pervasive as in the officers know how to identify cases of vision, which they said began in prison. men’s blocks, and women are allowed more

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Simeon, who seriously injured a women with a metal pole, is held in Gbarnga Central Prison. RECREATION AND Visibly agitated and incoherent, Simeon is clearly mentally ill, though no one was able to REHABILITATION provide a diagnosis. Correctional staff said they tried to restrain him, but decided to leave him “I have no access to a radio. They took alone. He is in a cell by himself because of the threat he poses to others. Other inmates all our radios. It is unfair. I do not blame complained that Simeon’s constant shouting at night kept them awake. They were worried that prison officials. They were following they too would “go mad” if they continued to stay in prison. An international NGO is reportedly instructions. What do I do at night? There trying to help Simeon by providing mental health services and medication. are no newspapers here. No books. No entertainment. People go mad.” Male detainee in Gbarnga Central Prison time outdoors. However, the distinctive needs Every child under 18 interviewed stated that of women are poorly addressed. For example, they were not receiving any form of The majority of prisoners return to their confidential voluntary pregnancy testing is not education, even if they had been in prison communities after being released from offered at any point during incarceration. for months. prison. Rehabilitation during incarceration A common complaint from female inmates is an essential function of prisons to and female correctional officers is the Mental health services in Liberia are encourage successful reintegration of limited availability of sanitary materials. virtually non-existent. Only one psychiatrist inmates into society. Amnesty International did hear of a few and one mental health hospital are available cases of pregnant inmates, but was unable to service the entire country, while many Some facilities visited by Amnesty to verify the information. According to those Liberians are still suffering the psychological International offered skill-building activities interviewed, the lack of capacity within the consequences of the conflict. Liberian to a limited number of convicted prisoners, prisons to deal with the needs of pregnant Criminal Procedure Law guarantees including tie-dying, sewing, construction inmates means they are simply released. assessment and treatment of people living and agriculture. However, no prison has a with mental illness. However, the criminal formal education system and recreation “We’re just here. Our parents don’t know.” justice system is incapable of handling possibilities are limited. Many inmates 16-year-old boy held in Monrovia Central Prison cases appropriately where mental illness is expressed frustration and boredom at a factor and people with mental illnesses lack of activities and opportunities for Liberia has only one functioning court for are being incarcerated for crimes related to rehabilitation. At Monrovia Central Prison, minors and no separate rehabilitation or their disorder, such as attempting suicide. the Carter Center has started a small library reformatory institutions. Many children under Additionally, the majority of correctional of approximately 60 donated books with one the age of 18 are tried in magistrates courts officers have no training or knowledge of inmate working as a librarian. and held in adult prisons in separate cells. mental health issues. For example, some Amnesty International delegates met many correctional officers mistakenly identified One man in Monrovia Central Prison said, child prisoners who had been in prison epilepsy as a mental illness. “You have so many children and they are for four, five or six months without trial. left vulnerable when you are in prison. They According to Article 37 of the Convention The harsh conditions in prisons and the don’t teach you a trade to help you provide on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Liberia anxiety and frustration caused by the for your family when you leave.” in 1993, detention of children should only agonizingly slow justice system lead to be as a “measure of last resort and for the mental anguish for many prisoners. One shortest appropriate period of time.” health expert told Amnesty International PRESSURES ON PRISON STAFF that several prisoners had disclosed that The lack of capacity in the justice system is Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of they were suicidal or had attempted suicide. causing a severe strain on prison staff. The the Child also guarantees the right of every prison service is under-resourced and child deprived of liberty to “maintain A US-based NGO, the Carter Center, is understaffed. According to the Ministry of contact with his or her family through working with the government to support Justice, 259 corrections officers currently correspondence and visits.” Yet some mental health reform in Liberia and has been work in the prisons. The target number of imprisoned children said that their parents doing some work at Monrovia Central Prison. officers is 630, and the government did not know where they were. The reason Mental health evaluations of prisoners are continues to recruit and train new officers in for this was not clear. Others said that included in the Essential Package of Health order to meet this goal. correctional officers had allowed them to Services, although it remains unclear how use their cell phones to call their families. this will work in practice.

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Many correctional officers expressed regret the correctional officers. They also are Prisoner’s hands on the bars in his cell door, at the situation of the inmates, but were exposed to diseases through contact with Liberia, March 2011. Prison cells in Monrovia faced with their own challenges of inmates and lack of protective and Central Prison have one small barred window overwork, low pay and lack of essential cleaning equipment. on the door that opens onto a dark hallway, and resources. They told Amnesty one small window that looks outside. International’s delegates that they have no annual leave entitlement, and have only CONCLUSION one day off a week. Pay grade is not well The Liberian government must take differentiated by position and skill and few immediate steps to ensure that the Children under 18 must be detained only as career advancement opportunities exist for conditions under which prisoners are held do a last resort and for the shortest appropriate staff. Many of the officers are working as not amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading amount of time. If detention is necessary, unpaid volunteers, which can contribute to treatment. All prison inmates should be held they must be held separate from adults at inhuman detention practices because of in sanitary and humane conditions which all times. lack of training and accountability. ensure their physical and mental integrity, and in accordance with Liberia’s own Implementation of the prison health Correctional officers are only provided with Criminal Procedure Law and international component of the Essential Package of one uniform, so that when it gets dirty they standards, including the International Health Services launched in July 2011 wear their own clothes. Others choose to Convention on Civil and Political Rights and would address many of the health care not wear their uniform. This makes it hard the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the concerns raised in this document, but the to distinguish between the prisoners and Treatment of Prisoners. Ministry of Justice needs to take further

Index: AFR 34/001/2011 Amnesty International September 2011 16 GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH THE STRUGGLE TO REFORM LIBERIA’S PRISONS

steps to ensure the physical and mental health of inmates. RECOMMENDATIONS To the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of To the Ministry of Justice: Health and Social Welfare: Reducing the number of pre-trial detainees in Liberia’s prisons is essential to improving n Take immediate steps to improve n Ensure that the prison health conditions and decreasing overcrowding. prison conditions including by: component of the Essential Package of This requires the judiciary to implement a Health Services is implemented quickly, sentencing policy consistent with the n providing clean water and with adequate funding and staffing, and in principle that deprivation of liberty should adequate sanitation facilities; consultation with stakeholders. be for the shortest possible time, and which n working with a nutritionist to includes alternatives to imprisonment. The ensure that food is adequate; n Ensure that the mental health judiciary should ensure that it reviews the n guaranteeing all prisoners component of the Essential Package of legality and necessity of all detentions on a adequate time outside; Health Services is also carried out, regular basis. Reform of the justice sector n providing clean beds and regularly including proper assessment and should also include increased resources for washed bedding to every prisoner; treatment of prisoners with mental illness. the criminal justice system; training for n establishing a dedicated health judges, prosecutors, defence counsel and budget for each prison until the To the international community: investigators; and the establishment of Essential Package of Health Services juvenile courts throughout the country. is fully implemented. n Continue to work with the government of Liberia to support the Essential Package Amnesty International welcomes the n Ensure adequate budget to the Bureau of Health Services, and to ensure that recommendations made to Liberia by other of Corrections and Rehabilitation, prison health services are fully states during the Universal Periodic Review including by continuing to seek assistance incorporated. of Liberia in November 2010. These and co-operation from the international included improving prison conditions; community. n Where necessary support the Liberian accelerating reform of the judicial system; government, including through the and providing resources to key institutions n Ensure that every child inmate under provision of technical assistance, to in the criminal justice system and training 18, whether pre-trial or sentenced, can improve the living conditions in prisons. for judges and other officials. Amnesty begin or continue primary or secondary International urges the Liberian government education. n Continue to liaise with Liberia to give effect to these recommendations in seeking the full and prompt and to keep the Human Rights Council n Provide recreation and rehabilitation implementation of the recommendations informed of its progress. opportunities for all prisoners. made during the Universal Periodic Review of Liberia. n Recruit and train more prison staff and provide them with appropriate incentives and necessary resources, including uniforms.

n Make public the findings and recommendations of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture after its visit to Liberia in December 2010.

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million Index: AFR 34/001/2011 supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and English territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. September 2011 Amnesty International Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the International Secretariat Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human Peter Benenson House rights standards. 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest United Kingdom or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. amnesty.org