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A fuel shortage has disrupted the transportation of inmates to court by the Sierra Leone Correctional Service between August 17 and August 19, 2026, according to the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law Sierra Leone (CARL-SL).
The disruption reportedly prevented scheduled court appearances for detainees during the three-day period, raising concerns over delays in judicial proceedings and the potential impact on the constitutional right to a fair and timely trial.
CARL-SL said such interruptions risk prolonging pre-trial detention for affected inmates and could further strain confidence in the country’s justice system if not urgently addressed.
The civil society organization also pointed to what it described as deeper operational and financial challenges facing the Correctional Service. It alleged that government funding allocations for the institution’s operations have not been fully disbursed since early 2026, a situation it said has contributed to persistent logistical constraints, including transport shortages.
According to CARL-SL, the continued funding gap has weakened the agency’s ability to carry out essential administrative and operational duties, particularly inmate transportation to and from court sessions.
The organization has called on authorities to urgently resolve the fuel supply challenges, ensure timely disbursement of operational funds, and investigate administrative bottlenecks affecting the smooth transport of inmates to court.
