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The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as a “catastrophic breakdown of human rights, safety, and basic dignity” at correctional facilities in Freetown following a monitoring visit conducted on 17 February 2026.
In a press statement issued on 19 February 2026, CHRDI detailed findings from visits to facilities operated by the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS), highlighting systemic legal failures, severe overcrowding, medical neglect, and collapsing security infrastructure.
According to CHRDI, dozens of detainees are being held in “safe custody” without formal indictments for extended periods exceeding four years. The organization reported that 76 males and 17 females were in safe custody without official documentation or reasons from the relevant authorities.
Additionally, 385 male inmates and 36 female inmates were reportedly detained without indictment beyond the legally permitted timeframe. CHRDI described this as a violation of the Criminal Procedure Act and international human rights standards, noting that many of the affected detainees lack legal representation.
The group further cited chronic judicial delays, revealing that 13 male inmates were awaiting reserved judgments, while 205 cases have been subjected to prolonged adjournments between 2016 and 2025. Of 29 foreign nationals detained at the male correctional facility, one reportedly died in February 2026, with no explanation provided regarding the cause of death.
CHRDI reported extreme overcrowding at the male correctional facility, originally built to accommodate 324 inmates but currently housing 1,802, according to correctional records. Cells designed for single occupancy now reportedly hold up to 13 inmates, making social distancing impossible and increasing the risk of infectious disease transmission.
The organization also highlighted a severe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) crisis, describing conditions as “deplorable” and unfit for human habitation due to inconsistent water supply and poor sanitation.
At the female facility, CHRDI recorded eight children aged between 0 and 2 years living with incarcerated mothers.
Medical Concerns
Healthcare services were described as severely limited. CHRDI reported that 97 male inmates and 15 female inmates are HIV-positive, while 26 male inmates have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB).
During the visit, 15 inmates were admitted to a makeshift hospital with only 16 sick beds serving over 1,000 male inmates. The facility reportedly lacks adequate medical equipment, supplies, and proper working conditions for staff.
The female unit has five hospital beds serving more than 200 inmates, with five nurses assigned, though sometimes only one is on duty.
The organization also documented 11 cases of mental illness nine males and two females reportedly receiving inadequate care.
CHRDI further revealed that critical security infrastructure, including some CCTV cameras and security scanners, is non-functional. The organization warned that the situation poses serious risks to both inmates and correctional officers.
Additional concerns included exposed electrical wiring and poorly maintained fire extinguishers, raising fears of potential safety hazards.
CHRDI has called on the Government of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Correctional Services to take immediate corrective measures. The organization urged authorities to fast-track indictments, release individuals unlawfully detained, repair critical security systems, and improve access to food, water, and healthcare.
It also recommended implementing reforms proposed by the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and other civil society groups to address overcrowding and modernize aging correctional infrastructure.
“No nation can claim progress if its correctional facilities remain centres of human degradation. Justice must be more than a legislative promise; it must be a functional reality for every Sierra Leonean,” said Abdul M. Fatoma, Chief Executive of CHRDI.
