The Bureau of Corrections, with support from UNDP Liberia, is training more than 300 inmates from the Corrections Palace in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, as part of efforts aimed at rehabilitating people jailed for various crimes.

At least one correction officer also benefits from each term of the training exercise in tailoring. According to Flomo Johnson, the Director of the Palace, during each term of the training, at least one correction officer is selected to also benefit from the exercise.

According to Flomo Johnson, the Director of the Palace, during each term of the training, at least one correction officer is selected to benefit from the exercise.

The intent is not only a way of empowering the BCR officers, but also to create an harmonious relationship between inmates and staff of the facility.

During a monitoring mission by UNDP Liberia Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques, Flomo narrated that the institution faces major challenges of inadequate power supply, maintenance and unconducive environment for the inmates.

"Despite these difficult conditions some of the inmates are taking advantage of the skills training opportunities being provided them," Flomo said.

A total of 304 inmates (2 adult females, 301 adult males and 1 juvenile male) are part of this training. They have committed crimes of varying degrees ranging from rape, gang rape, murder, etc.

The list of inmates also includes those considered to be both high and low risk  of different nationalities.

The Director also took the mission team on a tour of a cassava farm that the inmates cultivated to feed themselves. According to Mr. Johnson, the farm serves as a major source of feeding for the inmates to the extent that they do not rely on food supplies from Government to sustain them.