By: Phi Jacob Kermue
Bong County Correspondent
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Gbarnga, Bong County (May 10, 2025)– The Superintendent of Gbarnga Central Prison, Gbolomen Korto Siakor, has raised alarms over severe overcrowding and limited access to safe drinking water at the facility, calling on the central government for urgent support.
In a press briefing held in Gbarnga, Superintendent Siakor revealed that the prison, originally designed to accommodate 130 inmates, is currently housing 320 individuals.
Among the total, 206 are pretrial detainees, while 97 inmates have been convicted of crimes. Additionally, there are seven adults yet to be judged, six females, and two male juveniles, one of whom is convicted.
“The situation here is critical,” Superintendent Siakor stated. “We are facing unprecedented overcrowding that compromises the safety and wellbeing of all inmates.”
She noted that the youth population is significant, with a total of 303 males, including both convicted and pretrial detainees.
In addition to overcrowding, the prison is grappling with limited access to safe drinking water. The facility has three hand pumps, but only one remains operational after two were rendered unusable.
“This leaves us with a single source of water for all inmates, creating an additional layer of difficulty in maintaining hygiene and health standards,” Siakor explained.
The Superintendent has made a heartfelt appeal to the government, urging it to take immediate action to alleviate both the overcrowding and the water crisis affecting the prison.
“We need support to ensure the health and safety of our inmates,” she added.
Fata Garmai Traub, the Record Officer at Gbarnga Central Prison, highlighted that rape and murder are the most prevalent crimes recorded at the facility.
These pressing issues were brought to light during a visit by students from the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Science and Humanity at the University of Liberia.
The students toured the prison and donated two cartons of sanitary pads to the female inmates, a gesture aimed at addressing some of the basic needs amidst the challenging conditions.
As the situation continues to evolve, the need for government intervention remains critical to improving the living conditions within Gbarnga Central Prison.
