The UNDP has provided funds to the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) for a refresher training on Inmates’ Classification and Best Practices for twenty- two (22) officers, at the SLCS Conference Hall, former Special Court Complex, New England Ville, Freetown.

Participants of the training were drawn from both senior and junior ranks, whose job descriptions bear directly on the inmates.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General, SLCS, the Deputy Director General Colonel David Ngaujah said the SLCS’ Administration aims at professionalising the Department.

“The DG’s vision can only be achieved when trainings of this nature are conducted regularly. When we understand our mandates, then we can attract the desired respective we’ve been craving all these years.”

Without mincing his words, the DDG admitted classification is hard to achieve giving the overcrowded nature of Correctional Centres, especially the Pademba Road Correctional Centre in Freetown.

He called on Government to take deliberate steps to provide infrastructure which will enable the SLCS implement classification.

Concluding his speech, Col. Ngaujah assured the participants that the certificates they will earn at the end of the workshop will be slotted into their respective files for future referencing regarding promotions, transfers, among others.

Also speaking at the opening, the Ag. Director of Human Resources (SLCS)- Lamin Bangura- encouraged participants to be attentive and to display the will to learn.

Assistant Director of Corrections- James Tarawallie, who is the Ag. Director of Training (SLCS) spoke on a range of knowledge that every Corrections Officer should acquire. Of these, he stressed the importance of knowledge in classification.

Facilitators of the workshop were locally sought in Chief Superintendent of Corrections Joseph Senessie and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Maada Swarray.