HRCSL NEWS AND EVENTS

A team from the Human Rights Commission of Sierra (HRCSL), led by the Vice Chairperson, Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq. on 4th June, 2024 conducted monitoring visits at the Kabala Correctional Centre.

The thrust of the visit was to ascertain whether the centre was in compliance with national and international instruments in relation to the treatment of inmates, and also the challenges faced by the Centre in carrying out their work.

The team had an engagement with the Officer -in-Charge, Edmond Jusu and also spoke to inmates in the centre.

During an interaction with the inmates, the team came across a 15-year old child in custody on allegation of manslaughter. She informed the team that she was accused by her mate of giving caustic soda to her 6 months old child (her mate’s child), leading to the death of the child, an allegation she denied.

She said at the time she was arrested and taken to police custody for three months, she could only speak Temne and alleged that she made her statement without an interpreter. Her matter has been committed to the high court awaiting trial.

The Vice Chairperson, Victor Idrissa Lansana said the Commission has a mandate of protecting and promoting human rights, adding that part of it is to visit places of detention facilities to see the conditions of inmates.

Commissioner Lansana implored the inmates to continue to behave well while in detention, and stay away from violence.

He also advised them to make good of their lives when they have the opportunity to be freed from prison by going back to school or learning skills that will be of immense benefit to them.

Office-in-Charge, Edmond Jusu welcomed the team from the Commission and highlighted some the challenges they are facing in the centre. Key among them were; no resident High Court Judge since January to hear matters actioned by the magistrate court, no technical training and proper recreational facilities for inmates, delay in supply of toiletries, pointing out that the last time the centre received supply was in December of 2023.

He also intimated the Commission that their facility caters for not only inmates from Kabala but also from surrounding towns like Fadugu and Falaba, as a result he said there had been an influx of inmates that has led to overcrowding in the facility. According to him, the centre was built to host 70 inmates but they presently have 94 inmates in custody.

©HRCSL Communications Team