Mohamed Jimmy, Prison spokesman
Using his power of prerogative of mercy, Sierra Leone's president, Ernest Bai Koroma has pardoned 157 prisoners nationwide to mark New Year's Day.
The spokesman of the prison's department, Mohamed Opito Jimmy told Politico that those freed included seven women. He said 105 were drawn from the central Pademba Road prison in Freetown while the rest came from the other 16 prisons across the country.
There are no prominent names among them, according to Jimmy who said that they included people serving jail terms for "low crimes" which he said included traffic offences, common larceny and debt.
He said old age, poor health and good behaviour were considered for recommendation for the attention of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee which is headed by the country's Vice President, who scrutinised the list for consideration by the president.
(C) Politico Online 01/01/14
