TRRC's Site Visit To The Prison Was Unethical And Uncalled For- Gambia Prison Service

By Ousman A. Marong
The Gambia Prison Services (GPS) has Tuesday described the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) site visit to the Jeshwang juvenile and Janjabureh prisons as unethical and uncalled for.
The Spokeperson of the Gambia Prisons Services (PRO) Lamin Ceesay revealed that the TRRC officials’ meeting of the juvenile prisoners in custody at the Janjanbureh prison was not inline with the best practices of the Children’s Code of Conduct Act.
He made these remarks Tuesday during a press conference at the Prison Administration’s conference hall in Banjul, organised by the GPS to clear doubts on the TRRC’s recent visit to the prisons across the country.
He said some issues raised by inmates were pardoned to be occur to them. He revealed that some of concerns raised by inmates such as missing court dates; applies to the suspects or persons at the remand wing and, for one reason or the other it should not be exposed simply like that.
He revealed that inmates cannot just jump up to request for pardon simply, because issues of pardon, according to the Section 82 of the 1997 Constitution are powers vested on the Head of State and so he is the only person who can give them pardon.
According to PRO Ceesay, even for the Head of State to pardon inmates, there must be consultations with the Prison Committee.
“Inmates who repeatedly commit crime would not be recommended for presidential pardon, simply because they have betrayed the trust and confidence bestowed on the prison authorities,” he said.
He added that some of the issues raised by inmates regarding mattresses, mosquito nets, etc are health concerns and are important.

 Ceesay, PRO Prisons