By Mark B. Newa
IPNews-Monrovia,Liberia-27-February 2018: As part of the plan to improve and transform the criminal justice system in the country, the Assistant Minister of Justice for Corrections and Rehabilitation has observed that improving the parole and probation programs of the government would strengthen governance and lessen the burden on the courts across the country.
Speaking at the welcoming program at the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, Assistant Minister Eddie S. Trawali cited the parole and probation as components that need thorough attention, a situation that have rendered the corrections and rehabilitation components ineffective.
According to him, the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) have to be transformed in order to meet up with unfolding realities.
“When the parole and probation programs are effective it lessens the burden on the court. For the probation, we are working in that direction because there are some issues that do not need to go at the Monrovia Central Prison but need a community correction so that probation can mitigate the pressure on the court,” he maintained.
The Assistant Minister also observed that corrections and rehabilitation are key components of the criminal justice system, and in order for the criminal justice system to make progress, the BCR must be more effective with the clear understanding about corrections.
“The essence of imprisonment is not just to keep one in prison, but to provide the necessary correction measures that when a person is convicted for a particular crime he/she can be remolded and integrated into the society,” he maintained.
Minister Trawali, among other things, said there are few programs that have to be made more effective. This he said include the parole and probation programs.
“It is because of their good working relationship that the institution is at a trajectory; today I am excited meeting my new staff, coming into a different sector being incubated in a different functions and operatives, I am excited that we all can work together to move the institution forward,” the Assistant Minister added.
“I like the euphoria. You know, each gathering euphoria serves as a motivating factor for everyone,” he said.
He used the occasion to commend the international community for the many sacrifices it has made in support government`s effort in solving some of the problems at the facilities, even though much needs to be done.
According to him, even though there are barrage of issues and concerns relating to prison reformation, it is hope that with the government`s international connections and internal support from his office staff, the institution can surmount barriers.
The Assistant Justice Minister said there is a draft Act that when legislated make the bureau autonomous with a legal and financial status to generate its own resources.
“With this”, he said “it will give us the opportunity to execute some primary issues affecting the institution that need to be mitigated.”
Assistant Minister Trawali also used the occasion to inform staffers at the bureau that with his connections, he will use the political will to lobby for the improvement of the BCR. ”With our connections, we will use our political will to make the BCR autonomous,” he said amidst cheers.
