Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Sierra Leone
Delegate Name: Gavin Dakhi
The treatment of prisoners is an important aspect of any justice system around the globe. The delegation of Sierra Leone recognizes this fact and is aware of the cracks in the current working plan. With only 21 prisons and around 4,800 prisoners in total, the living conditions and crowding issues of these prisons require immediate attention. The makeup of our prisons consists of approximately 60% pre-trail detainees. This number plays a huge role in the overcrowding problem we face nationwide. In addition to overcrowding, the prison spaces are not kept clean or well supplied, and this leads to inadequate treatment of inmates. Coming from both a lack of resources and a lack of officers. The delegation of Sierra Leone recognizes the prison system as in need of reform.
Sierra Leone has recently strengthened its infrastructure within correctional centers, including the installation of new water and sanitation systems that directly improve the health and well-being of prisoners. The government has also enacted the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024; this act replaces outdated legal processes and significantly reduces the time individuals spend in pre-trial detention, which is one of the main contributors to overcrowding and poor prison conditions. This law introduces alternative sentencing options such as community service and suspended sentences, helping to reduce the number of people entering prisons for minor offenses. We have already begun training correctional officers and legal personnel to ensure full and consistent implementation of these reforms. In the years ahead, Sierra Leone will expand nationwide monitoring of correctional centers, enhance oversight through human-rights based inspections, and continue investing in staff training, sanitation upgrades, and rehabilitation programs. With these acts currently in place, and more reforms being drawn up soon, Sierra Leone is working to improve prison standards nationally and globally.
Sources:
United Nations Development Programme. “Sierra Leone Ushers in New Era Justice and Equality with Criminal Procedure Act 2024.” UNDP, 16 Sept. 2025, www.undp.org/sierra-leone/news/sierra-leone-ushers-new-era-justice-and-equality criminal-procedure-act-2024.
Ministry of Information and Civic Education. “A New Era for Justice: Sierra Leone’s Criminal Procedure Act 2024 Takes Effect.” Ministry of Information and Civic Education, 25 Sept. 2025, moice.gov.sl/a-new-era-for-justice-sierra-leones-criminal-procedure-act 2024-takes-effect/.
United Nations Development Programme. “UNDP Commissions Water Facility for Kenema Female Correction Centre.” UNDP Sierra Leone, 6 June 2024, www.undp.org/sierra-leone/news/undp-commissions-water-facility-kenema-female correction-center.
