Monrovia-Legal Court docket “C” Choose Ousman F. Feika has taken a tough swipe on the Ministry of Justice, accusing the federal government of neglecting the nation’s jail infrastructure and failing to handle continual overcrowding and delays in prison trials.
Delivering the Judges’ Cost on the opening of the Legal Courts “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” on Monday, November 10, Choose Feika stated the scenario on the Monrovia Central Jail has reached a breaking level, with greater than 1,600 inmates crammed right into a facility constructed within the Seventies to carry simply 375 prisoners.
He described the Monrovia Central Jail as “a human rights concern and a stain on the justice system,” urging the federal government to right away resume development of the long-abandoned New Monrovia Jail challenge in Cheesemanburg, which was began underneath former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
“We attraction to the Authorities of Liberia via the Ministry of Justice to grab with quick impact the development and completion of the brand new Monrovia Central Jail,” Choose Feika stated, noting the brand new facility may maintain as much as 5,000 inmates.
Rehabilitation Uncared for
The Choose additionally blasted authorities for failing to prioritise rehabilitation and probation packages, arguing that the justice system should do greater than merely punish offenders.
“Conviction and sentencing ought to result in rehabilitation. The state should reform offenders to stop future crimes,” he warned.
Overcrowding Worsened by Inhabitants Growth, Drug Arrests
Choose Feika linked the worsening jail congestion to Monrovia’s exploding inhabitants, which has surged from 100,000 within the Seventies to almost 1.8 million right this moment, and a spike in drug-related arrests because the authorities’s “struggle on medicine” started.
He warned that the rising variety of pretrial detainees, some jailed for months or years with out trial, undermines the precept of presumed innocence and erodes public confidence within the judiciary.
One-Jury Trial Legislation Stalling Justice
Choose Feika additionally took purpose at a longstanding authorized restriction that permits just one jury trial at a time in every prison court docket, calling it “counterproductive” and “a significant impediment” to speedy trials.
“This outdated rule stalls progress, extends pretrial detention, and burdens the court docket docket,” he stated, urging lawmakers to revisit the legislation to permit a number of jury trials concurrently.
Legal professionals Warned
The Choose cautioned defence legal professionals and prosecutors in opposition to submitting extreme pretrial motions supposed to delay trials, warning that sanctions can be imposed on those that abuse court docket procedures.
Because the November Time period of Court docket opens, Choose Feika’s remarks echo a well-known frustration amongst judicial officers over systemic delays, overcrowded prisons, and authorities inaction, issues that proceed to undermine justice supply in post-war Liberia
