Monrovia, Liberia – In what he called “an act of mercy rooted in reconciliation, rehabilitation, and national healing,” President Joseph N. Boakai Sr. used his constitutional authority to grant Executive Clemency to 72 eligible prisoners throughout Liberia, releasing or reducing sentences for those found guilty of non-capital crimes.
The clemency, which takes immediate effect, covers seventy Liberian nationals and two Guinean citizens, seventy men and two women, including two juveniles, who were selected after a rigorous review process involving justice and corrections authorities.
Each beneficiary had been found guilty of non-capital felonies and had proven their eligibility, good behavior, and regret. President Boakai emphasized that the ruling was a reaffirmation of justice’s human aspect, especially during the holiday season, rather than a retreat from it.
He declared, “This act of clemency affirms our belief in rehabilitation, human dignity, and the possibility of reform, rather than negating justice.”
The Executive Mansion claims that awardees include elderly and terminally sick offenders, individuals who have completed prison terms but remained behind bars due to small restitution requirements, and inmates who have completed more than half of their sentences. Authorities further stressed that no person convicted of capital or infamous offenses was taken into consideration.
The President urged the awardees to honor the opportunity by living law-abiding lives and making positive contributions to the development of the nation, warning that kindness must be accompanied by responsibility.
President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforming the nation’s justice and corrections systems in order to reduce recidivism, improve rehabilitation, and advance justice. He also urged Liberians to embrace harmony, forgiveness, and shared responsibility in the nation’s quest for lasting peace and inclusive development.
Reported by: Prince Saah
