Call for Digitization of Court Documents in Liberia

A renowned criminal justice reform group, Prison Fellowship-Liberia, has made a significant recommendation to Liberia's Chief Justice, Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, advocating for the digitization of court documents within the Judiciary Branch. This initiative aims to preserve court records and expedite the handling of cases that have been pending on various court dockets. Such delays have been reported to obstruct pre-trial detainees from accessing timely and impartial trials in courts of competent jurisdiction.

Prison Fellowship-Liberia is the most extensive network of social actors working within the criminal justice field in the country. As Liberia's leading rights-based nonprofit organization, it focuses on serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. The organization is a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform in Liberia, striving to improve the conditions and rights of those within the judicial system.

An assessment conducted in 2022 highlighted that accurate record-keeping is one of the critical challenges facing courts across Liberia. The outdated methods currently employed have hindered effective management of court records, causing significant operational difficulties. Rev. Francis Kollie, the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship, underscored the urgent need for judicial authorities to embrace technological advancements. He noted that as the world rapidly evolves due to technological advancements, Liberia's judicial system must prioritize the universal rights of pre-trial detainees. These rights include access to speedy trials, the right to be heard, and the right to legal representation.

Rev. Kollie elaborated that implementing the digitization of the judiciary, often referred to as e-judiciary, would significantly enhance the efficiency of the court system. By enabling easier access to court documents, whether retrieving case files or locating public records, digitization would improve the court's capacity to provide necessary information. This, in turn, promotes transparency and fosters public trust in Liberia’s criminal justice system.

He expressed confidence that digitizing records—converting physical documents into digital formats through scanning and other means—would effectively alleviate the backlog of cases on court dockets. This modernization would directly benefit pre-trial detainees, whose human rights have been persistently violated due to prolonged detention without trial.

Kollie emphasized the importance of ongoing training for court personnel, including sheriffs, bailiffs, clerks, and judges. He advocated for the Judiciary Branch of Liberia to invest in regular training programs to ensure these officials are legally effective and impartial. Such measures would prioritize the welfare of pre-trial detainees, particularly those overcrowded at facilities like the Monrovia Central Prison and other correction centers.

Kollie called for continuous prioritization of pre-trial detainee welfare by the three branches of the Liberian government. He highlighted the necessity of practical budgetary support to enhance the functionality and human rights standards of prison facilities across Liberia. Prison Fellowship-Liberia has made substantial strides in this area, having sponsored over 500 children of incarcerated individuals in various public and private high schools. Kollie emphasized that access to education is a fundamental human right that should be available to all.

Furthermore, he urged the 55th Legislature to empower the Ministry of Justice with adequate budgetary support to hire qualified public defenders. These defenders would represent the legal interests of pre-trial detainees currently held in various prison facilities throughout the country.

Kollie commended the Boakai-Koung administration for establishing the office of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. He noted that this initiative is timely and essential for providing war victims with access to justice, an important step in addressing historical grievances.

In addition, a substantial consignment of medicinal products and equipment is anticipated to arrive in Liberia this year. This shipment aims to improve the welfare of pre-trial detainees in Montserrado County and other regions, particularly those requiring medical treatment at referral hospitals.

Rev. Kollie concluded by highlighting the meaningful impact of Prison Fellowship-Liberia within the criminal justice sector. The organization’s free legal clinics have significantly aided hundreds of pre-trial detainees in achieving quicker access to justice, thereby reinforcing the importance of continued reform and support for the rights of individuals within the judicial system.

Through these efforts, Prison Fellowship-Liberia continues to advocate for a fairer, more efficient, and humane criminal justice system that recognizes and upholds the rights of all individuals, particularly the most vulnerable populations within society.