Heavy Security, Barricades Ring South Beach as Howard-Taylor Spends First Night in Prison

Published: August 25, 2026

MONROVIA — Security forces have sealed the approaches to the Monrovia Central Prison, where former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor is spending her first night after the Monrovia City Court sent her there Tuesday to await trial in the cocaine investigation.

An armored military vehicle, the Liberia National Police PSU “Beast,” armed officers and Armed Forces of Liberia personnel are stationed around the prison. The main entrance into the South Beach community has been barricaded, with DO NOT ENTER signs restricting movement in the area.

Howard-Taylor has been in custody since Aug. 19, when she was stopped at Roberts International Airport as she prepared to board a flight to Ghana. She was held at police headquarters and later admitted to the Gomez Institute of Medical Sciences after falling ill. Her lawyers asked the court to let her remain there rather than be transferred to prison. The court refused.