By Josephin W. Lagawo
Madam Susan Koker, Director of Support Services at the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, has raised concerns about the increasing strain on the country’s correctional facilities due to overcrowding and insufficient resources. Speaking at a budget presentation for 2025 at the Ministry of Finance, Madam Koker revealed that the correctional centers, designed to hold 800 inmates, are currently housing over 2,000, putting immense pressure on their operations.
Madam Koker noted that while the correctional service has no control over the rising crime rate, they are required to provide protection and care for all inmates under their supervision. This overcrowding has led to the service surpassing its 2024 budget, particularly due to the high costs of food and security for the inmates. “We are dealing with lives, and we must ensure that they are fed and kept secure, despite our limited resources,” she said.
The overcrowding issue, compounded by the aftermath of the failed coup attempt on November 26, 2023, at Pademba Road Correctional Center, has further stretched the correctional service’s budget. During the coup attempt, doors were damaged, and additional security measures had to be implemented, adding to the financial burden. Madam Koker also mentioned that price inflation has worsened the situation, making it even more difficult to manage resources effectively.
Madam Koker highlighted that the correctional service is struggling with multiple challenges, including providing medical care for sick inmates, ensuring rehabilitation programs, and addressing the lack of tools and equipment for large-scale agricultural projects, which could help alleviate some of the budgetary pressures. “Rehabilitation is crucial, as it aims to reintegrate inmates into society as productive citizens, but we lack the necessary resources,” she added.
The service has large areas of land where low-risk inmates could engage in farming, which could reduce stress and provide valuable skills, but these initiatives are hindered by the lack of mobility and modern equipment. Many of the service’s vehicles are old, and funds are insufficient to cover transportation costs for inmates attending court proceedings, further complicating operations.
For 2025, the Ministry of Finance has provided the correctional service with a budget ceiling of NLe 196 million, an increase from the NLe 156 million in 2024. However, Madam Koker stressed that this is still insufficient to meet their needs. She called for more strategic investments, including tools for the brass band and prison farms, which could help generate revenue and offer skills training for inmates.
Madam Koker concluded by emphasizing the importance of proper funding to enable the correctional service to effectively rehabilitate inmates and ensure their eventual reintegration into society.
