Strengthening Corrections Institutions in Liberia | INL20CA0058AMELIBERIACORRECTIONS082520

Opportunity Information: Apply for INL20CA0058AMELIBERIACORRECTIONS082520

The Strengthening Corrections Institutions in Liberia opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number INL20CA0058AMELIBERIACORRECTIONS082520) is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) discretionary grant designed to improve how Liberia's corrections system operates in practice, particularly in facilities selected for support. The underlying problem the program is trying to address is that Liberia faces a difficult operating environment with very limited infrastructure, and many citizens have historically had trouble accessing basic justice services. Within the criminal justice sector, corrections institutions are described as struggling with gaps in professional skills, shortages of basic office equipment, and disruptions caused by delayed salary payments, all of which weaken day-to-day operations and reduce the system's ability to meet community needs.

At its core, the project aims to increase consistent adherence to standardized procedures and best practices, with a strong emphasis on human rights-based methods and facility security. Rather than focusing only on hardware or construction, the opportunity centers on institutional strengthening: building staff capacity, improving management systems, and ensuring that rules and processes are applied consistently across the corrections system. The intent is to create more predictable, professional, and rights-respecting operations inside targeted facilities, which in turn supports broader criminal justice goals such as lawful detention practices, improved accountability, and safer custodial environments.

A major component of the work is training and mentoring for corrections staff across all levels of the organization. This includes executive leadership, mid-level managers, and rank-and-file personnel, reflecting an understanding that sustainable change requires alignment from top leadership down to daily frontline practice. Training and mentoring are meant to improve professional conduct and reinforce standardized procedures, while also embedding practical skills that staff can apply immediately in their roles. The emphasis on mentoring suggests ongoing guidance and reinforcement rather than one-off workshops, which is often critical in environments where institutional practices need to shift over time.

Another central area is records management, specifically systems and procedures that can track pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Strengthening detainee and inmate tracking is important for basic legal compliance and human rights protections, since poor recordkeeping can contribute to unlawful detention, extended pre-trial confinement, or lost case information. By improving records management, the program seeks to support more transparent custody processes, better coordination with the rest of the justice system, and clearer visibility into detention status and facility population management.

The opportunity also calls for development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are applied system-wide. This indicates the program is not just looking for facility-level fixes but also for broader institutional coherence, where consistent rules guide staff behavior and decision-making across sites. The SOP focus is tied directly to ensuring both human rights standards and security, suggesting the program expects operational guidance that balances humane treatment with safe, controlled facility operations.

In administrative terms, the award is structured as a Cooperative Agreement, which typically means the funding agency anticipates being more actively involved in the project compared to a standard grant. The program falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 19.703. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The opportunity was created on August 25, 2020, with an original closing date of October 26, 2020. The award ceiling is listed as $1,000,000, and the announcement anticipated making one award, indicating a single, relatively substantial project intended to deliver focused results in Liberia's corrections sector.

• The Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Corrections Institutions in Liberia" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.703.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 25, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 26, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for INL20CA0058AMELIBERIACORRECTIONS082520

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