THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA Detention of Prisoners The Government has also taken a number of measures to respect the rights of persons in detention in prisons and to improve their living conditions. In a bid to decongest the Mile 2 Prison, the Judiciary in 2013 organized special hearing dates for prisoners in the remand wing. Their trials were conducted expeditiously and persons who had no sufficient evidence supporting their charges were acquitted and discharged, thereby fulfilling its obligation to ensure the liberty of persons. In 2017, the Government stepped in to address prison overcrowding, the detention of political prisoners and other human rights violations occurring at the country’s detention centres by embarking on the release of prisoners through Presidential pardons. Since then over 308 prisoners have been released leading to the decongestion of the prisons. Furthermore, to address past human rights violations in prisons, the Prison Act is currently being reviewed with the view to bringing it in line with best practices and to transform from a punitive institution to a corrective one. In a bid to ensure that prisoners’ rights are respected, the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the Prison Services Department has made tremendous efforts in the renovation of the security wing and increase the size of cells and cells allocation. The expansion program has been extended to Janjanbureh Prison which is in the Central River Region of the country. The renovations for the prison system will cost over D40 million upon completion. Over D6 Million has so far been spent on the renovation of Mile II and Janjanbureh Prisons and the renovations have now been completed. The building will now cater for more prisoners and to a greater extent address the problem of overcrowding. In a bid to tackle the problem of overcrowding, in 2014, a massive construction project started at the Jeshwang Prison Camp, though the project is still to be completed because of insufficient funds. A monthly total food allowance for prisoners has also been increased to 1.5 Million Dalasis as compared to the previous prison service food provision of D650, 000.00 in 2010. The Prison Services Department endeavors that all prisoners are well-fed with a balanced diet. The food store has also been renovated to standard to avoid pests and contamination. Furthermore, prisoners are treated in a dignified and humane manner from the time of admission to time of discharge. Prisoners are informed of the regulations governing their rights and obligations while in prison. 36