Monrovia – As part of Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebration, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has granted Executive Clemency to 75 inmates across the country, following a thorough vetting process by the Ministry of Justice. The official release ceremony took place Friday morning at the Monrovia Central Prison in Montserrado County.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
The clemency was granted in line with Article 59 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, which authorizes the President to issue pardons and reprieves. The move, according to the government, aims to promote justice with compassion, particularly for the elderly, the ill, and the economically disadvantaged, while also helping to reduce overcrowding in prison facilities.
“As we celebrate our national independence, we must also embrace the values of mercy, dignity, and second chances,” said President Boakai in announcing the pardon. “This act of clemency is a reaffirmation of our belief that justice must be both firm and fair, and that redemption remains possible for those willing to change.”
In a formal communication to Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) outlined the selection process, which was supported by the Ministry of Justice’s Human Rights Division, the Director of Prisons, Probation and Parole Services, and the Records Unit.
“We appreciate the confidence reposed in the BCR leadership to carry out this sacred task,” the Bureau said in its communication.
From a national convict population of over 1,100, the 75 inmates were chosen based on strict criteria, including non-capital offenders who served more than 50% of their sentence with good behavior, misdemeanor offenders who completed their sentence but remained in prison due to an inability to pay restitution of up to US$2,000, terminally ill inmates with verified medical records predicting imminent death, elderly inmates (aged 50+) convicted of non-capital offenses with good conduct, felons with no more than two years remaining on their sentence, inmates who served at least one year beyond their sentence due to unpaid restitution between US$2,000–$4,000, inmates aged 65+ convicted of capital offenses who have served at least 10 years of their sentence.
Breakdown of Pardoned Inmates
The pardoned include two foreign nationals: a Sierra Leonean and an Indian, four female inmates, one juvenile offender, inmates represented nearly all counties, except Rivercess, Sinoe, and Grand Kru, where no qualified inmates were identified.
The Ministry of Justice, in its concluding statement, expressed gratitude to all institutions involved and reaffirmed its readiness to provide additional clarity on the process.
