Gbarnga, Bong County —The presiding Judge of the August Term of Court, George Wiles, has called on the executive branch of government to release pretrial detainees who have been behind bars at the Gbarnga Central Prison since 2009.
By Rancy Clarke, Contributing Writer
Speaking during the opening of the August Term of Court Tuesday, Judge Wiles emphasized that individuals who have been held in prison without trial should be released to help decongest the facility.
The Gbarnga Central Prison was originally built to accommodate 130 inmates but at the moment, there are about 307 inmates at the facility.
He stated that about 41 inmates have been detained at the Gbarnga Central Prison from 2009 to present without undergoing trial.
Judge Wiles, who has committed to ensuring fair and impartial justice, expressed disappointment over the prolonged detention of individuals without prosecution, stating that it violates their human rights.
He noted that some complainants in pre-trial cases have failed to appear in court while the defendants continue to remain in custody.
“Some of the prisoners have overstayed and those who brought them have refused to come. Let’s release these people.”
His call for the prompt adjudication of pre-trial cases comes in the wake of reports of overcrowding at Gbarnga Central Prison.
During the May terms of Court opening, the Superintendent of the prison, Richard Mulbah said, 224 inmates are pre-trial detainees, some of whom have been detained for more than four years without prosecution.
For his part, the Solicitor General of Liberia, Augustine Fayiah welcomed the idea but did not promise the release of pre-trial detainees.
Fayiah, however, vowed to work closely with Judge Wills to ensure the success of the August court term.
