As part of activities marking the 178th Independence Day of the Republic of Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has granted executive clemency to seventy-five inmates across various correctional facilities in the country. The decision follows a formal recommendation from the Ministry of Justice, based on assessments conducted by the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) and the Human Rights Protection Division.
The gesture of clemency reflects the President’s ongoing commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and compassion within Liberia’s correctional system. The categories of pardoned inmates include, inmates who have served more than 50% of their sentence for non-capital offenses and demonstrated good behavior, misdemeanor offenders who have completed their sentences but remain incarcerated for inability to pay restitution not exceeding $2,000 USD, terminally ill inmates with medical certification indicating a low likelihood of survival beyond July 2025, elderly inmates, aged 50 and above, convicted of non-capital crimes with consistent good behavior, and felons with no more than two years remaining on their expected date of release (EDR).
Announcing the pardons, President Boakai stated, “As we celebrate our national independence, we must also embrace the values of mercy, dignity, and second chances. The act of clemency is a reaffirmation of our belief that justice must be both firm and fair and that redemption remains possible for those willing to change.”
The Ministry of Justice has been instructed to ensure that the release of the pardoned individuals is handled in an orderly and humane manner, and to facilitate their reintegration into society. Meanwhile, the President donated 100bags of Rice and some cash for the correction facility. The action aligns with President Boakai’s broader agenda for criminal justice reform, decongesting Liberia’s prison system, and restoring hope and dignity to underserved populations.
