Monrovia – The Department of Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) of the Ministry of Justice has received two sets of solar panels worth about US$8,000 to light-up two major correctional facilities’ records’ department and libraries in the country.
The renewable energy equipment will power major prisons in Kakata, Margibi County and Gbarnga, Bong County.
The donation was made by Serving Humanity For Empowerment and Development (SHED); Rural Human Rights Activists Programme (RHRAP) and Finn Church Aid in Finland with funding from the European Union.
Speaking at the presentation of the items at the Ministry of Justice in Monrovia on Thursday, August 22, Attorney Godo Kolubah, project manager of SHED, disclosed that since the inception of the project it has imparted correction facilities in the two counties by strengthening the rights of prisoners in correctional facilities and building the capacities of the BCR’s officers within the counties.
“We’ve begun this engagement even far before this year with the Ministry of Justice, working together to build the capacity of the Bureau of Corrections and strengthen the work of the Judiciary to ensure speedy hearing of cases and at the same time ensure the rights of prisoners are respected,” Atty Kolubah said.
The SHED project improves prison conditions, access to justice and build capacity of correctional officers, police and local communities leaders to protect the rights of prisoners and strengthen the justice system.
Atty. Kolubah said one of the project goals this year was to “support the documentation of the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR)” as a pilot project in Gbarnga and Kakata prison facilities.
He said when the project realized that the BCRs in these cities were transmitting information through phone calls that were distorted or inaccurate, they opted to “alleviate the problem” by training staff of the BCRs and donating equipment which included laptop computers in order to augment their work.
He added that the project was also concerned about providing reliable electricity to keep those equipment up and running.
“And so realizing that those equipment that have been supplied to the BCRs will require constant energy, it was important that we provide additional support in terms of the solar panel,” Atty Kolubah said.
He said the solar panels are expected to last for the next 17 years, and promised that the project will continue to provide the “necessary support to ensure they are maintained periodically”.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, Deputy Minister for Codification of the Ministry of Justice, appreciated the implementing partners as well as EU for the funding and support while also stressing the importance of protecting the right of inmates.
“We know that being a prisoner does not eliminate rights, [and] we are happy for the received of these items primarily because we will be on top of the information,” said Cllr. Tuan.
Mentioning the challenges facing correctional officers, the Deputy Justice Minister said the solar panels will curb some of the challenges while assuring that the items will be used for the intended purpose.
Speaking at the donation ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice in Monrovia, Agnieszka Napierala, Programme Manager for Governance and Rule of Law, Gender focal Point of EU, said that the mission is “very happy to support but the only thing is that they are hoping they (solar panels) will be installed very shortly” and that it will be maintained by the Ministry of Justice and serve the purpose.