Page 46 - Liberia Exhibit Magazine Issue1
P. 46
Historical Sites
THE HISTORICITY OF It was a villainous prison facility established around
1911 and situated in North Western Liberia. This prison
Belle Yallah
Prison now represents a sombre of Liberia’s meandering
past and stands as a shadow of itself.
From the unset, the idea much that stigma left behind by
was to find haven for the prison puts development of
hardened criminals but the area in harm’s way. “When
later degenerated into a cave for you tell someone you are from
political prisoners and those who Belle Yalla, the first thing that
spoke against the ills in society comes to mind is that you are a
at the time. For many Liberians prisoner. This is life in this area
especially within the proximity of very difficult. There are no basic
the facility, Belle Yalla Prison was social services. Residents are left
a hub of torment and the most to fend for themselves,” James
feared prison facility one would Flomo, a 50-year old citizen of
ever think of. the town told Exhibit Magazine.
When original rationale behind Although the memories of the
the establishment of the Belle prison leaves much to desire,
Yalla evaporated from detaining plans are afoot to turn into a
hardened criminals and possibly museum for tourists to have an
rehabilitating them into use- idea of what the former torture
ful citizens for reintegration, it chamber used to look like.
became a slave abode, sending
prisoners to hard labor and the For the first time in Liberia’s
memories fading with time. history Belle Yella is linked to
the rest of the country by a
The Prison, about three hours motor road constructed by the
walk from the road, preserves Government of Liberia under the
a pockmark on the conscience leadership of Africa’s first female
of residents of the vicinity so President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
46 LIBERIA EXHIBIT | JANUARY - JUNE
THE HISTORICITY OF It was a villainous prison facility established around
1911 and situated in North Western Liberia. This prison
Belle Yallah
Prison now represents a sombre of Liberia’s meandering
past and stands as a shadow of itself.
From the unset, the idea much that stigma left behind by
was to find haven for the prison puts development of
hardened criminals but the area in harm’s way. “When
later degenerated into a cave for you tell someone you are from
political prisoners and those who Belle Yalla, the first thing that
spoke against the ills in society comes to mind is that you are a
at the time. For many Liberians prisoner. This is life in this area
especially within the proximity of very difficult. There are no basic
the facility, Belle Yalla Prison was social services. Residents are left
a hub of torment and the most to fend for themselves,” James
feared prison facility one would Flomo, a 50-year old citizen of
ever think of. the town told Exhibit Magazine.
When original rationale behind Although the memories of the
the establishment of the Belle prison leaves much to desire,
Yalla evaporated from detaining plans are afoot to turn into a
hardened criminals and possibly museum for tourists to have an
rehabilitating them into use- idea of what the former torture
ful citizens for reintegration, it chamber used to look like.
became a slave abode, sending
prisoners to hard labor and the For the first time in Liberia’s
memories fading with time. history Belle Yella is linked to
the rest of the country by a
The Prison, about three hours motor road constructed by the
walk from the road, preserves Government of Liberia under the
a pockmark on the conscience leadership of Africa’s first female
of residents of the vicinity so President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
46 LIBERIA EXHIBIT | JANUARY - JUNE
