The Bo District Civil Society Forum, led by Chairman and PRIDE-SL Director Joseph Blackie, spearheaded a large-scale cleaning initiative at the Bo West Police cells.

This joint effort, aimed at enhancing hygiene and safety for detainees, involved key partnerships with the Development Action Centre for Sierra Leone (DACS-SL), the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, and the Sierra Leone Police.

The cleanup operation saw civil society members, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement personnel working together to restore sanitary conditions in cells used to temporarily detain individuals awaiting legal proceedings. The initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to improving detention facilities for both detainees and staff.

Joseph Blackie highlighted the operation’s purpose, emphasizing that all people, regardless of circumstances, deserve a clean environment. “Every person has the right to be held in dignified conditions while their cases are resolved,” he stated, framing the effort as part of a broader push to uphold human rights and humane treatment within Sierra Leone’s justice system.

Officials from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation were on hand to enforce health protocols, aiming to minimize health risks and improve sanitary standards. The Human Rights Commission also lent its support, applauding the role of civil society in promoting accountability and advocating for safe, dignified detention conditions.

This collaborative cleanup at Bo West Police cells underscores a deepening commitment to human rights in Sierra Leone, as stakeholders work to ensure humane conditions for all.