United Methodist Church Secures release of 63 pretrial detainees in Liberia

The United Methodist Church (UMC) secured the release of 63 pretrial detainees from Monrovia Central Prison in Liberia during October 2026.

The organization achieved this through its Legal Aid Clinic Program, which provides defense services to people who cannot afford a lawyer. The releases occurred across six magistrate courts under the Magistrate Sitting Program at the Temple of Justice.

The UMC Legal Aid Clinic worked with judicial authorities to ensure that people awaiting trial received legal representation and timely court proceedings. The church stated that these actions aim to reduce prison overcrowding and protect the rights of vulnerable people, including poor citizens and foreign residents. The Paynesville City Magistrate Court released the highest number of detainees at 19.

Other courts involved in the process included the Bushrod Island Magistrate Court with 16 releases, the Omega Magistrate Court with 12, the Brewerville City Magistrate Court with 6, and the Gardnersville and Monrovia City magistrate courts with 5 releases each. The General Board of Global Ministries provided support for this initiative.