Published: September 12, 2025
SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County — Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL) has launched a nationwide awareness push aimed at clarifying the distinct roles of police, magistrates, and prison authorities — an effort officials say is key to restoring public trust in Liberia’s fragile justice system.
The initiative was rolled out Friday, Aug. 29, during a community-policing forum in Sanniquellie, where law enforcement officers, magistrates, corrections officials, and residents welcomed the chance to break down misconceptions about how justice is served from arrest through trial, detention, and rehabilitation.
Nimba County Police Commander Lamine Mendin said the campaign underscored the need for partnership across the justice chain.
“This training helped us see how our roles connect and why we must work in partnership with the courts and prison authorities,” Mendin said. “It also helped clarify misconceptions people in the community have about our work.”
Magistrate Anthony Doyah of the Sanniquellie Magisterial Court acknowledged long-standing concerns about accessibility and accountability.
“There’s often a public perception that we are not available or that we operate outside the law,” Doyah said. “Rescue Alternatives Liberia has provided the opportunity for us to break down these barriers by facilitating open discussions between us and the communities we serve.”
Corrections officials emphasized that prisons are more than holding facilities.
“People don’t understand our role in rehabilitation,” said Charles Mahn, Superintendent of the Sanniquellie Central Prison. “With the help of RAL, we’ve been able to share our roles in the judicial sector.”
Local residents said the dialogue cleared up long-held confusion.
“I used to think the police had the final say in someone’s guilt,” said a youth leader in Sanniquellie. “Now I understand that there’s a legal process involving the courts and correctional services. It has changed how we see justice.”
Rescue Alternatives Liberia, a nonprofit promoting human rights and justice reform, said the campaign is part of its broader drive to improve transparency and accountability in Liberia’s justice sector.
“We believe that when people know their rights and understand the roles of each actor in the justice chain, accountability becomes more possible,” said Sam Nimely, RAL’s national program coordinator. “This program is not just about information, it’s about building bridges between citizens and the institutions that serve them.”
The campaign comes at a time when Liberia faces pressure to strengthen rule of law institutions. Public confidence remains fragile amid police overreach, court delays, and overcrowded prisons — challenges rights groups warn deepen cycles of abuse and mistrust.
By engaging communities directly alongside justice officials, RAL hopes to set a precedent for nationwide reforms that make Liberia’s justice system more transparent, fair, and inclusive.
Discussion about this post