By Saio Marrah
High Court Judge Ivan Sesay says much needed to be done to improve the welfare of inmates at three correctional centres in Freetown. Responding to a report by a senior correctional officer in court at the end of a criminal session last Friday the judge said urgent reforms are needed at the Male and Female Correctional Centres and the Reintegration facility, citing appalling conditions.
He also suggested that the current Pademba Road facility be speedily relocated to Masanki in the Ribbi Chiefdom, Moyamba District before the end of 2023.
Another suggestion he made was for the Ministries of Finance, and Internal Affairs to provide the necessary funds.
According to the judge, the bail policy should also be revisited to create flexibility, saying the number of people in jail is too alarming.
Currently, the male correctional centre at Pademba Road has 1,838 inmates, well over the 324 capacity it was built to accommodate. The female correctional centre meant for 18, now hosts 118 inmates. The Reintegration centre, designed for 140 inmates, now has 185.
He said that is not good for the rule of law and called for modern toilet and recreation facilities for the inmates that should be established this year.
Justice Sesay said the general welfare of the inmates and the prison officers must be improved including medical care.
The judge was responding t Superintendent Foday Ishmael Kamara’s report that highlighted the poor conditions the various facilities face.
In the report, it was stated that the current medical facility situated at the Pademba Road centre has only 18 beds ever since the burning of the bigger health structure in the April 2021 riot.
Kamara also claimed Pademba Road has only one non-specialized medic.
Buckets are used by inmates to relieve themselves just next to their cells, he also reported.
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