“Let us not hide behind social media and say something which is not true,” he said in an interview with The Point. “I can tell you for certain that this is the highest level of disinformation and misinformation intended to tarnish the good reputation of the prison administration. Over the years, we have not only embarked on massive and rigorous reforms at the prison, but we ensure that inmates' rights and dignity, including their health, are well respected.”
DG Manneh, who was reacting to reports making the rounds suggesting that Kumba Sinyan, who is currently standing trial for murder, was sick and that she was not taken to hospital, said: “Prison is among the most sensitive institutions in the country. We have procedures and administration rules which need to be followed, especially for people who are visiting their relatives at the prison.”
He continued: “Over the years, we have built good cordial relationships with inmates at all the prisons in the country. If it were not because of their uniforms, you would not know who is a prison officer or who is an inmate due to how we interact among ourselves. Again, our doors are always open forever. However, one thing that has to be very clear is that we are working according to the constitution and also the Prisons Act. Let us strive for a more constructive and truthful discourse, focusing on building each other up rather than tearing each other.”
After the change of government in 2017, he said, the current government has embarked on a series of institutional and security sector reforms which include the Prison.
“My administration has over the years pioneered a lot of initiatives at the prison with the objectives of ensuring that we work according to prison standards. I can sincerely tell you that there has never been any point in time that a sick inmate, be it at Mile Two, Jeshwang or Janjangbureh prison, has been left without giving the much-needed medical attention. That has never happened,” he emphasised.
“In fact, due to the commitment of my administration and the government, we have employed a qualified health personnel at the prison. His work among others is to check the inmates’ health condition and ensure their health is good.”
DG Manneh also said that inmates’ health and hygiene, “especially at Mile Two Central Prison, has significantly improved”.
“I don’t joke with the health condition of the inmates,” he stressed, saying: “The prisoners and the officers all live in the prison; so, if we don’t take care of their health, we can also be at risk of exposure to other health issues.”
