The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has declared a human rights emergency in Sierra Leone’s correctional facilities following an investigation that reportedly uncovered widespread arbitrary detention, severe overcrowding, preventable deaths, inadequate medical care and serious violations of the constitutional rights of inmates.
The human rights organisation, in a Press Release dated Monday, 19 October 2026, disclosed that its findings followed what it described as an extensive forensic monitoring exercise conducted on 14 October 2026 at the Freetown Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road and the New England Female Correctional Centre.
According to CHRDI, the investigation revealed serious institutional failures affecting the administration of justice, prison management, healthcare delivery and the protection of vulnerable detainees, including women, children and individuals suffering from infectious diseases.
The organisation reported that the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre currently accommodates 2,016 inmates, despite having an original capacity of approximately 324 prisoners. At the New England Female Correctional Centre, official records reportedly indicate 184 detainees, although CHRDI claimed that its physical verification identified more than 200 women in custody.
CHRDI described the situation as an alarming deterioration of detention conditions, warning that overcrowding, inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation and limited access to medical treatment expose inmates to serious health risks.
One of the most disturbing findings highlighted in the report concerns the prolonged detention of individuals who have not been convicted of any criminal offence.
According to the organisation, more than 1,000 unconvicted individuals remain in custody without trial, while 481 detainees are allegedly being held without formal indictment.
The report further revealed that 108 inmates have reportedly experienced prolonged delays in their trials dating back to 2016, while another 172 detainees have been awaiting committal proceedings since 2020.
CHRDI also alleged that some inmates have remained in detention for more than 12 consecutive months without appearing before a court or receiving a substantive hearing.
The organisation maintained that such circumstances raise serious concerns regarding the constitutional presumption of innocence, access to justice and the right to a fair trial within a reasonable period.
It cited Section 23 of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as relevant legal safeguards.
The investigation also raised concerns about the detention of individuals who reportedly remain incarcerated solely because they cannot afford to pay minor court-imposed fines.
CHRDI identified 25 detainees allegedly imprisoned for their inability to settle financial penalties, including four individuals reportedly detained for more than six months without judicial determination of their cases.
The organisation cited the case of a woman who could reportedly remain imprisoned despite nearing completion of her custodial sentence because of an outstanding fine of Le 15,000.
It also documented cases involving fines as low as Le 4,000, arguing that the continued incarceration of economically disadvantaged individuals raises fundamental questions about fairness, proportionality and equal protection under the law.
Beyond the judicial concerns, CHRDI reported a serious public health situation within the correctional facilities.
According to its findings, 20 preventable deaths have occurred since March 2026, including 13 deaths within correctional facilities and seven in hospitals.
The organisation attributed the reported deaths to severe anaemia, advanced malnutrition, untreated infections and inadequate medical intervention.
It further disclosed that 18 inmates suffering from active tuberculosis were allegedly being held without adequate clinical isolation alongside 48 individuals living with HIV/AIDS, comprising 37 men and 11 women.
CHRDI warned that the absence of appropriate infection prevention measures could expose inmates and correctional personnel to serious health complications.
The report also alleged that 28 minor surgical procedures had been conducted in inadequately equipped correctional infirmaries without sufficient sterilization and other essential medical safeguards.
Additionally, 19 individuals experiencing serious psychological or cognitive difficulties were reportedly being held in punitive cells without the necessary psychiatric certification, treatment or specialist care.
The organisation expressed particular concern about the treatment of women and children at the New England Female Correctional Centre.
According to its investigation, seven nursing infants and toddlers were found living with their mothers in detention under conditions described as unsuitable for child development and maternal healthcare.
Three of the children were reportedly born while their mothers were in custody, with CHRDI alleging inadequate access to obstetric, prenatal, postnatal and paediatric services.
The organisation argued that the continued confinement of infants in such environments raises serious questions about compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Bangkok Rules governing the treatment of women prisoners.
CHRDI further alleged that 21 individuals connected to drug-related investigations had been transferred into purported safe custody by the Transnational Organized Crime Unit without prompt judicial authorization or adequate access to legal representation.
It also raised concerns about the reported re-arrest of an individual previously discharged by a Justice of the Supreme Court, describing the development as a potential challenge to judicial authority and the rule of law.
Commenting on the findings, CHRDI Chief Executive, Abdul M. Fatoma, condemned what he described as systemic institutional failures that have exposed detainees to prolonged suffering and violations of their fundamental rights.
He maintained that the reported conditions represented more than administrative shortcomings, arguing that prolonged detention without trial, inadequate healthcare and the confinement of vulnerable individuals demanded urgent intervention by the authorities.
The organisation subsequently issued a series of demands directed at the Executive, Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Sierra Leone Correctional Service.
Among its principal recommendations is an immediate independent audit of all correctional facilities, including a comprehensive verification of inmate records, detention status and the legal circumstances surrounding individual cases.
CHRDI also called for the establishment of an extraordinary judicial task force and emergency prison court sessions to review cases involving detainees who have not been formally indicted, individuals facing prolonged trial delays and those held for minor, non-violent offences.
It specifically demanded urgent judicial consideration of the 481 detainees reportedly held without formal indictment and the 108 individuals whose cases have allegedly experienced prolonged delays.
The organisation further recommended the immediate transfer of nursing mothers and their children into appropriate social welfare and maternal healthcare facilities, with consideration given to non-custodial alternatives consistent with the best interests of the children.
On healthcare, CHRDI called for the clinical isolation and treatment of inmates suffering from active tuberculosis, uninterrupted antiretroviral therapy for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and specialist psychiatric intervention for detainees requiring mental healthcare.
It also urged the Government to review the imprisonment of individuals unable to pay minor fines and introduce alternative sentencing arrangements, including community service, probation and diversion programmes.
Additional recommendations included the provision of properly equipped ambulances, improved medical supplies, adequate nutrition, enhanced working conditions for correctional officers and strengthened institutional oversight.
CHRDI maintained that the Government of Sierra Leone has an obligation under domestic legislation and international human rights instruments to protect the dignity, health and fundamental freedoms of individuals deprived of their liberty.
The organisation warned that failure to address the reported violations could expose the State to legal challenges and further undermine public confidence in the country’s justice and correctional systems.
The findings have brought renewed attention to the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s correctional institutions, particularly prison overcrowding, prolonged pretrial detention, limited healthcare resources and delays in judicial proceedings.
While CHRDI has called for immediate intervention and accountability, the allegations contained in its report remain the organization’s findings and have not been independently verified in this article. A response from the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Judiciary and other relevant Government institutions was not included in the material provided.
The organisation concluded by urging the authorities to take decisive steps to restore constitutional safeguards, improve detention conditions and ensure that individuals held in State custody are treated in accordance with national laws and internationally recognized human rights standards.
