13 inmates get certificates in Maryland

Thirteen inmates at the Harper central prison in Harper City, Maryland County, southeast Liberia have been certificated after completion of several months of adult literacy training.

The inmates were taught how to read and write, spell their names as well as good manner or moral conduct. Speaking in an interview with the New Dawn at the prison facility, Prison Superintendent Crispin Doe, says the program organized by the correction palace in the county is in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the office of the Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC) monitor, Mr. S. Boniface Nyema.

Mr. Doe lauds the human rights monitor for the level of work done in the county, particularly with inmates at the prison facility, adding that Mr. Nyema is an astute young man, who is always fighting to ensure that people’s rights are given to them as well as making sure that cases that have overstayed in court be heard for the dispense of justice.

Situated in Middlecess community on the left wing of the Harper City Hall, the Harper Central Prison serves neighboring River Gee and Grand Kru Counties besides Maryland. Meanwhile, presenting certificates to the inmates, Independent Human Rights Commission monitor Nyema reminds them that being behind bars is not the end of their lives, as there is better living condition after their respective sentences.

He urges them to wisely utilize the certificate in society upon their release from jail. On behalf of fellow inmates, Nathaniel Jurry, serving his terms at the Harper Central Prison, lauds prison officers, particularly Superintendent Crispin Doe and IHRC monitor Nyema for the program that he notes, has afforded them the opportunity to learn how to write their names and read.

Nathaniel informs the New Dawn in an interview that the regular visitation of the human rights monitor of Maryland signifies that there is still hope for them, adding that there are people that are thinking about them despite being behind bars. The 23 years old inmate explains that since he was born, it is at the Harper central prison that he has learned to spell, write his own name and do basic reading, couple with moral conduct.

He calls on the Government of Liberia, international non-governmental organizations, local non-governmental organizations, as well as prominent Marylanders to help the Harper central prison in the provision of skills training.

Nathaniel says if inmates are taught Auto-mechanic, Carpentry, Plumbing, and Tailoring, after serving their sentences and subsequently return to their respective communities, they will become productive citizens both in their communities and the country at large.

By George K. Momo/ Maryland-Editing by Jonathan Browne