Mass Prison Break: 47 Inmates Escape from Liberian Prison

Dozens of inmates escaped from a maximum security prison in Kakata, Liberia, due to a security breach. The Justice Ministry and national police are working to recapture the 47 fugitives. Liberia's prisons face severe overcrowding, food shortages, and a high number of pretrial detainees.

Authorities disclosed on Monday that dozens of inmates escaped from a maximum security prison located outside Liberia's capital over the weekend.

The Justice Ministry reported that 47 inmates managed to flee due to a security system breach at the prison in Kakata, a town situated 55 kilometers northeast of Monrovia.

The ministry expressed deep concern about the incident, emphasizing that all necessary measures are being taken to recapture the escaped individuals. The national police have also deployed additional officers to aid in the search efforts.

Liberian prisons are frequently overcrowded, with inmates often lacking sufficient food and medical care. Last year, a prison in Monrovia ran out of food, leading two other facilities to halt new admissions temporarily due to shortages. Additionally, a UN report in November 2022 revealed that 73 per cent of Liberia's prison population were pretrial detainees.

(With inputs from agencies.)