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Liberia: Overcrowding, Heat, and Poor Sanitation Plague Buchanan Central Prison

GRAND BASSA– The Buchanan Central Prison, designed to house just 47 inmates, is now grappling with severe overcrowding, accommodating over 145 prisoners in its already cramped quarters. 

By Wroinbee Elton Tiah contributing writer

This overcrowding has led to unbearable living conditions, including extreme heat and a pervasive foul odor that fills the facility, making it nearly impossible for both prisoners and staff to endure.

The prison is facing a critical water shortage. The facility’s only hand pump has run dry, leaving inmates without access to clean water. The lack of proper sanitation further exacerbates the dire circumstances, making daily life increasingly intolerable.

The situation is compounded by the absence of reliable transportation for medical emergencies. With no functional vehicle or motorcycle, there is no way to transport sick inmates to a hospital, particularly during the night, raising serious concerns about the health and safety of those in urgent need of medical attention.