By Josephine Sesay
In response to the ongoing overcrowding crisis at the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq., officially launched the construction of additional detention cells on Thursday, February 6, 2025. The new initiative is aimed at alleviating the severe overcrowding currently plaguing the facility.
Minister Lengor underscored the significance of the construction project, highlighting it as a key part of the government’s broader strategy to decongest correctional facilities. The Minister also emphasized that the development aligns with President Brigadier Rtd Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to Human Capital Development, which prioritizes improvements in the country’s infrastructure and social services.
“These new detention cells are part of our efforts to ease the overcrowding that has become a major issue within our correctional facilities,” Minister Lengor stated during the sod-turning ceremony. He added that plans are also underway to relocate the Male Correctional Centre to a more suitable facility, as the current location on Pademba Road is inadequate for housing the growing number of inmates.
Minister Lengor also called on the contractor to apply their expertise in constructing the new facilities, stressing the importance of quality and efficient workmanship. “This project will be closely monitored to ensure that it meets the highest standards,” he remarked.
The Director General of the SLCS, Mr. John Senesie, shared further details about the plans for the new facility. According to Mr. Senesie, the proposed construction of 40 new cell blocks at the Pademba Road facility is aimed directly at addressing the overcrowding issue. He also revealed that the SLCS is planning additional expansion projects in other correctional facilities across the country to further alleviate overcrowding.
The overcrowding at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre has long been a challenge, with the facility housing far more inmates than it was designed to accommodate. This issue has raised concerns about the welfare and human rights of detainees, as well as the safety and effectiveness of the correctional system.
The government’s recent commitment to improving the conditions within Sierra Leone’s correctional facilities reflects a broader effort to modernize the justice system and improve the rehabilitation of inmates. While the new construction at Pademba Road is a step in the right direction, officials remain focused on finding long-term solutions to tackle the overcrowding crisis.
The government’s plan to relocate the facility to a more appropriate site is expected to play a key role in further reducing the strain on the current infrastructure, ensuring that inmates are housed in safer, more sustainable conditions.
As the project moves forward, the SLCS and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are hopeful that the new developments will lead to a more effective correctional system, benefitting both inmates and the wider community.