Gambia Prison Boss Sanctioned Over Recurrence of Jailbreak

The personnel management office (PMO) has sent the Director-General of The Gambia Prison services Ansumana Manneh, a two-month administrative leave. This decision is a temporary sanction for the series of jailbreaks at Jeshwang and Mile 2 central prisons.

The Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Prison Service, Superintendent Momodou Lamin Ceesay, confirmed that 17 prisoners from Jeshwang escaped in January. In September 2021, 8 other prisoners also escaped the mile 2 central prison in Banjul.

“Yes, our director is sent on administrative leave to allow thorough investigation into the matter,” the Prison services spokesperson confirmed.

In a letter to Ansumana Manneh, the PMO states, “I write to inform you that the Public Service Commission has concurred with the executive decision to send you on a two-month administrative leave with immediate effect. This will allow a thorough investigation to be conducted on a series of alleged jailbreaks that have plagued the Prisons Department in the recent past”.

The letter further advised DG Manneh to hand over his office to the Deputy Director-General until further notice.

Last month, The Gambia Prison Service officials under the Ministry of Interior announced launching a manhunt operation for eight prisoners who had escaped from Mile 2 on September 8, 2021.