Bo City, Southern Region, 15th March, 2025 – The Honourable Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, has brought hope to 234 inmates at the male and female Correctional Facilities in Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone, by assuring them of a more efficient justice process.
The Chief Justice delivered this assurance after addressing numerous concerns raised by the management of both the male and female correctional facilities in the city.
“The concerns raised are fair and very timely and I want to assure you that they will be swiftly looked into and addressed within the shortest possible time, ” Justice Kamanda stated. He added that “the Judiciary is presently challenged with limited number of Judges and Magistrates, but notwithstanding that, the judiciary under my leadership is doing all it can to increase access to justice across the country and to expeditiously preside on cases.”
During the visit, the Centre Manager, Chief Superintendent David Kamara provided an update on the situation at the Bo Correctional Centre. Originally designed to house 80 inmates, the facility now accommodates 222, including those on remand, awaiting trial, or convicted of various crimes. Superintendent Kamara highlighted that Bo has one of the highest crime rates in the region, with larceny and illegal drug possession being the most common offenses committed by male inmates. The average age of inmates is 22, with many serving long-term sentences, while those on trial are facing serious charges.
Yard Supervisor Mohamed Kamara appealed to the Chief Justice to address overcrowding and the prolonged detention of some inmates. “My Lord, for some of us our fates have been judiciously determined and we are satisfied with our convictions. However, we have our brothers with us who do not even know why they are here and their matters have not even come up,” he said.
In response, the Chief Justice acknowledged the overcrowding issue and noted that four Judges have been assigned to Kono, Magburaka, Kabala, Kambia, and Pujehun to expedite the trial of 174 criminal cases. These areas currently lack resident High Court Judges. Additionally, Justice Kamanda revealed that a new judge has been assigned to Bo with a clear directive to address the concerns raised by the facility authorities.
To address the issue of overcrowding, the Chief Justice emphasised the importance of special criminal sessions, a key strategy the judiciary uses to reduce the population in correctional centres. He also highlighted a new directive instructing all Magistrates to grant bail for minor offences, helping to alleviate some of the pressure on the facilities.
He encouraged inmates to deviate from crime and engage in profitable enterprises and for community leaders to embark on community education on crimes and punishment.
Credit: Judiciary Communications
