By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The Chief Superintendent of the correction Facility Foday Ishmael Kamara has stated in an open court that there are two thousand One hundred and forty-one inmates that are in the male and female reintegration facility center.
He made this disclosure before Justice Ivan Ansumna Sesay on Friday 20th January 2023 at the close of the November High Court Criminal Session.
He said at the male correctional facility they have thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight inmates and they have three hundred and twenty-four cells.
Mr Kamara said at the female correctional facility they have one hundred and eighteen inmates with eighteen holding cells
At the reintegration facility, they have one hundred and eighty-five inmates and they have one hundred and twenty cells.
He said at the correctional facility, the inmates are still using the bucket system to excrete especially at night and during the day.
He furthered that they have good electricity and 24 hours light and that they only experience a blackout once in a while with a standby generator.
The Chief Superintendent said in terms of the food they give them breakfast in the morning and a double ration which is 32 ounces for lunch and dinner.
Superintendent Kamara said they have varieties of food prepared for the inmates.
He further states that they have various contractors that supply them with fish and meat in cartoons.
He said as for medical facilities are facing a lot of challenges.
Mr Kamara continued that the facility has one medical doctor for the 2,141 inmates and they have sixty (60) registered nurses.
He said the doctor is not a specialist and if they have special cases they normally refer them to bigger hospitals.
Such as Kamarainba who is suffering from prostate cancer, he said.
He furthered that the medical facility they have thirteen beds, and they do not conduct any medical checks on the inmates except when these inmates are sick.
Witness Kamara said at the correctional centres they have recreational facilities like playing football but they don’t have a basketball facility.
He said they have training centres like the carpentry workshop, welding shop, shoe making and tailoring workshop.
Mr. Kamara said they have a church and mosque where inmates usually go and pray.
He furthered that they have foreign nationals in their custody like the Nigerians who are Christians and Muslims also.
He went on that he has been the Manager of the Correctional facility for two years and six months.
He recommended the need for a modern correctional facility.
While cross-examined by defence Counsel Cecilia Tucker from the Legal Aid Board the witness said there were recommendations by the last closing criminal session by Justice Halloway for the elimination of the bucket systems and the congestion of the prison.
He said late last year they visited Songo to identify the land and they have paid the land owners.
He continued that in December it was decided that they will relocate the correctional centre to Masakay and the land has also been surveyed.
Defense Counsel from the Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board made an application for a Court order that the orders given by the court should be dealt with.
Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay made recommendations that previous recommendations made by his colleagues be carried out and recommended for the processing of inmates at the Pademba road facility to the Masakay facility and order for the Ministry of Finance and Internal Affairs to fast-track on the Maskay Facility projections and past recommendations of the Pademba correctional facility.