A nascent body called the Judiciary Prisons Visiting Committee has on Friday expressed concerns about the decision of prison authorities to mix mentally ill people with those who are mentally stable in cells.
The committee visited the State Central Prison at Mile Two on Friday, 12 July 2024. During their interaction with inmates and prison authorities, the team learnt that almost 20 inmates, who have mental health issues, were incarcerated in the same cells with other prisoners. Prison authorities informed the committee that some of the mentally ill people were returned to the prison after they set fire at the psychiatric centre.
During the engagement, it was recommended that the Committee should work with prison authorities and the justice defenders to identify prisoners with mental health issues and take them to court on Monday before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh for him to assess their cases.
The Committee resolved that those who do not pose threat to society will be released on bail and placed under the custody of their families. They also said they will work with the Ministries of Health and Interior so that those who are deemed to be aggressive will be laced under proper care.
The Committee stated they will report their findings to the Chief Justice. They told the inmates and prison authorities that they will address the issue of missing files and cases that are protracting in court.
The team that went to Mile Two Prison was led by Justice Basiru V.P Mahoney of the Gambia Court of Appeal, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court and Master of the High Court, Omar Cham.
