Ambassador Richard H. Riley addresses attendees during the Somali Custodial Corps Strategic Planning Consultation. The United States, through the International Development Law Organization, presented an institutional assessment and strategic plan to reform Somalia's Custodial Corps, reinforcing the final link in the nation's criminal justice chain. (Photo credit: U.S. Embassy Mogadishu)
Mogadishu (HOL) — The United States has introduced a strategic plan to reform Somalia's prison system, addressing overcrowding and improving security in Mogadishu Central Prison. Ambassador Richard H. Riley announced the plan during a workshop on Sunday, underscoring the U.S. commitment to bolstering Somalia's justice sector.
Ambassador Riley offered condolences to the families of the guards killed in the recent attack on the prison and emphasized the necessity of a coordinated criminal justice system that includes well-trained police, adequately staffed courts, and sustainable prison systems.
The recent violence at Mogadishu Central Prison, where Somali Custodial Corps quelled an uprising by al-Shabaab inmates, has highlighted significant security lapses. Five inmates, identified as al-Shabaab fighters, were killed after they seized weapons, causing heavy gunfire and an explosion. The attack resulted in the deaths of three prison guards and injuries to several others, raising serious questions about the prison's security measures.
Somalia's Attorney General, Dr. Sulayman Mohamed Mohamoud, has ordered an investigation into the breach, emphasizing accountability for the officials involved. This follows the suspension of Brigadier General Dahir Abdulle Rageh, the central prison chief, by Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Adan, Chief of the Somali Correctional Forces. An eight-member committee has been appointed to investigate the incident, with General Mohamed Hussein Ahmed named as the acting prison chief.
Overcrowding remains a critical issue. Col. Hassan A Nor 'Shuute' had previously warned that Mogadishu Central Prison, designed for 800 inmates, currently houses twice that number. The overcrowded conditions make it difficult to segregate terrorist inmates from others, posing significant security risks.
The U.S. plan aims to modernize the prison system and improve conditions. "The Custodial Corps has long suffered from inadequate facilities, equipment, and resources," Riley said. "The new plan offers a roadmap toward an efficient, modern corrections system."
A UN assessment report, "Prison Conditions in Somalia – A Holistic Assessment," launched on Nelson Mandela International Day, detailed dire conditions in Somali prisons. It highlighted overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare, clean water, and electricity. The report called for legal and policy reforms, renovation of facilities, and the implementation of educational and vocational programs for inmates.
The workshop featured the "Institutional Assessment and Sectoral Strategic Plan" for the Custodial Corps, presented by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), a SOMJUST partner. The plan seeks to resolve long-standing issues, such as inadequate facilities and resources within the Custodial Corps.
"For more than nine years, we have supported the Justice, Police, and Corrections sectors in Somalia with extensive training, equipment, and operational support," Riley said. He noted that the Somalia Justice Program (SOMJUST) helps criminal justice institutions provide effective and accountable justice services.
The U.S. has invested over $115 million in supporting Somali-led efforts to build law enforcement and justice capacity. Initiatives like the Judicial Training Institute have trained prosecutors, judges, and investigators in handling complex crimes, including money laundering and terrorist finance.
"Our guiding principle is that Somali-led and ultimately Somali-sustained justice reforms will contribute to the rule of law in Somalia, forming a foundation for democracy," Riley said.