Sierra Leone News: Chief Justice Sets up Prison Court

By Isabella Cassell

Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice Hon. Desmond Babatunde Edwards has said on Tuesday September 17, 2019, that this week will be observed as Judicial week during which special attention will be paid in addressing overcrowding and the human rights of trial detainees held without trial at correctional facilities across the country.

The Chief Justice made this disclosure during the commencement of the call over cases session at the high court.

Fifteen (15) judges have been selected by the chief justice nationwide to specifically and expeditiously look into and address the plights of inmates who have been incarcerated without trial from the period 2009–2017.

The Chief Justice admonished jurors, litigants, witnesses and members of the public not to cast blame on the judiciary for the slow progress of trials on matters that are brought to the court.

He said that members of the public normally accuse Judges of not working. He added that for the past judicial year, there were 3,188 cases nationwide that were assigned to 35 Judges of which 1,683 cases were completed which make up 56% of the cases.

He noted that stringent measures will be taken on each and every juror who does not present themselves to court during hearings.

The Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Moses Lamin Kamara said that the 15 judges will specifically look into trial inmates without indictments, those on numerous adjournments for lack of jurors and those on judgment reserved i.e. in a situation where the judge might have passed away.

He said that the essence of this Prison Court is to look into the human rights aspect as provided by section 23 (1–4) of the constitution of Sierra Leone and to decongest the prison. He said the Prison Court is a fact finding court that looks into the three issues outlined.

He noted that the Prison Court does not have the power to sentence accused persons, and that close to 800 inmates would be presided over for three (3) days in Freetown as well as the regions.

National Statistics of Inmates

Western Area — Male — 2, 274

W/A Female — 072

Southern Region — Male — 557

S/R Female — 023

Eastern Region — Male — 577

E/R — Female — 022

North East Region — Male — 733

N/E Female — 013

North West Region — Male — 175

N/W Female — 002

National Total — Male — 4, 316

National — Total Female — 132

National Total (male and female): 4, 448