GBARNGA — A day after FrontPage Africa reported a extreme water scarcity on the Gbarnga Central Jail, the affect of the disaster grew to become painfully seen on Thursday when this reporter witnessed inmates strolling by means of close by communities beneath the watchful eyes of armed jail guards, carrying buckets and gallons of water again to the jail to fulfill their most elementary wants for bathing and sanitation.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The boreholes contained in the jail compound have been non-functional since December 2025, leaving tons of of inmates with out a dependable water provide and forcing them to endure a rare and humiliating ordeal as they depend on the goodwill and tolerance of the encompassing neighborhood to outlive.
For the inmates, the stroll into the neighborhood is heavy with symbolism, a every day reminder of misplaced freedom and the fragility of their dignity. Residents paused their every day routines to look at as the lads lined up at hand pumps and personal wells, filling containers beneath guard supervision, a picture that underscored the abnormality of the state of affairs and the added struggling imposed on these already confined.
One younger inmate, who has been in detention for greater than a yr awaiting trial, described his mornings as starting in disgrace and ending in discomfort as he balanced a yellow container on his head. He stated bathing has turn out to be a battle and typically a luxurious, explaining that they get up feeling sticky and unclean, understanding they have to endure the day like that until allowed outdoors.
He added that strolling by means of the neighborhood makes him really feel uncovered and fewer than human, however staying inside with out water is worse as a result of it impacts each bodily well being and psychological well-being, leaving inmates stressed and offended for causes past their management.
An older inmate, visibly drained, stated the shortage of water has reworked the environment contained in the jail, with tempers flaring extra rapidly when individuals can’t wash, clear their sleeping areas, or flush bathrooms correctly.
He defined that illness is changing into frequent, with pores and skin rashes and abdomen issues spreading as hygiene breaks down, and he emphasised that venturing into the neighborhood to fetch water is each
dangerous and humiliating, however has turn out to be the one choice because the jail boreholes stopped functioning months in the past.
A 3rd inmate described the ordeal as a every day reminder that they’ve been forgotten. He stated that when the boreholes first broke down, officers promised repairs quickly, however weeks became months with no decision. He described fetching water beneath guard as “punishment added to punishment,” particularly for individuals who haven’t been convicted of a criminal offense, and he acknowledged the concern that one thing may go flawed outdoors, not from sick intent, however as a result of desperation creates stress on either side, amongst inmates and neighborhood members alike.
The fourth inmate, talking with emotion that cracked his voice, stated water is life and with out it they really feel as if they’re slowly being erased. He emphasised that bathing is just not solely about cleanliness however about sustaining self-respect and stated that when he sees individuals locally watching them, some with pity and others with concern, he wonders if anybody really understands what it feels prefer to be locked up and nonetheless compelled to beg for water.
He added that each one they’re asking for is a system that works to allow them to survive their time in jail with dignity. One of many jail guards accompanying the inmates described the state of affairs as painful for officers as nicely. He defined that their responsibility is to take care of safety, however they’re additionally human beings witnessing males endure over one thing as fundamental as water.
He stated escorting inmates into the neighborhood exposes everybody to danger, together with guards, prisoners, and residents, and that damaged boreholes have made their work tougher as a result of managing annoyed inmates with out satisfactory services can result in stress and potential battle. He emphasised that authorities must act urgently as a result of this isn’t sustainable and it places lives in danger.
Within the surrounding neighborhood, reactions ranged from sympathy to concern. One girl, who runs a small store close to a hand pump, stated she was shocked the primary time she noticed prisoners lining up for water in her space.
She defined that whereas she understands they’re human beings, seeing inmates so near houses makes individuals nervous, particularly mother and father, and he or she stated there’s concern that one thing may go flawed, not as a result of the inmates intend to flee, however as a result of accidents occur and panic spreads simply. She added that the federal government ought to repair the jail water system as an alternative of placing each the neighborhood and the inmates in an uncomfortable place.
An aged man who watched quietly from his porch described the sight as each disturbing and unhappy. He stated it demonstrates a failure within the system as a result of prisons are speculated to be safe and self-contained. Whereas he sympathizes with the inmates, he worries about safety and the message it sends to younger individuals seeing prisoners shifting freely beneath guard locally.
He added that the state of affairs makes him concern for the long run as a result of if fundamental wants like water can’t be assured in a jail, it raises critical questions on governance and accountability.
Rights Advocates Weigh In
Human rights and justice campaigner Adama Dempster described the state of affairs as “completely uncontrolled,” warning that the disaster exposes deep-rooted systemic failures inside Liberia’s jail system.
“The state of affairs at Gbarnga Central Jail raises critical human rights and safety issues that have an effect on each inmates and the encompassing neighborhood,” Dempster stated. “It highlights insufficient infrastructure, poor useful resource allocation, and weak oversight. This undermines each the rule of legislation and human dignity and alerts an pressing want for reform.”
Safety and Rights Dangers
Advocates warn that forcing inmates to depend on neighborhood water sources violates worldwide minimal requirements for the therapy of prisoners, together with the United Nations Customary Minimal Guidelines for the Remedy of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Guidelines), which require prisons to offer secure consuming water always.
Safety consultants additionally warning that the motion of inmates outdoors jail partitions—particularly in a congested city setting—creates the potential for escapes, violence, and confrontation with civilians.
“This isn’t only a humanitarian difficulty; it’s a safety danger,” one resident stated. “If one thing goes flawed, the neighborhood pays the value.”
Ministry of Justice Responds
Nonetheless, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has pushed again in opposition to claims of a water scarcity on the facility, saying the state of affairs has been mischaracterized.
“There is no such thing as a water scarcity as reported,” stated Jutunue Y. Kollie, Communications Director on the Ministry of Justice. “There are 4 hand pumps inside the jail compound. Nonetheless, on account of fixed use, these pumps are at the moment not useful, which prompted authorities to take away their tops.”
Kollie defined that whereas repairs are ongoing, inmates are prioritizing the restricted accessible water for bathing, and consuming water is being sourced from a close-by hand pump constructed by a non-governmental group.
“Consuming water is being fetched from a hand pump constructed by an NGO positioned very near the jail,” he stated. “All essential steps are being taken to handle the state of affairs as rapidly as potential.”
On experiences that inmates are leaving the jail compound to fetch water, Kollie stated the Ministry has not but verified the claims.
“Relating to the problem of inmates fetching water outdoors the jail fence, I’m unable to substantiate or deny this in the mean time, as inquiries are nonetheless ongoing,” he added.
Systemic Challenges
Regardless of the Ministry’s assurances, rights advocates argue that the reason itself displays a deeper disaster.
“The truth that all 4 pumps contained in the jail are nonfunctional tells you every part. Entry to water is just not a privilege; it’s a fundamental human proper. When a jail can’t present water, the system has already failed.”
Liberia’s prisons have lengthy been suffering from overcrowding, poor sanitation, and underfunding, with Gbarnga Central Jail incessantly cited by screens as one of many services struggling to fulfill fundamental requirements.
Advocates are actually calling on the Ministry of Justice, the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the nationwide legislature to deal with the state of affairs as an emergency and spend money on sturdy water infrastructure slightly than short-term fixes.
“This isn’t about politics,” Dempster stated. “It’s about dignity, security, and the credibility of the justice system.”
As investigations proceed, residents say they continue to be uneasy, whereas inmates stay depending on a fragile association that critics warn may collapse at any time.
