By: Lansana Koroma
Following the reforms of the Sierra Leone prisons, which were renamed the Sierra Leone Correctional Services in 2014, the situation at the correctional center seems unchanged even after ten years. In an interview with Patrick Salia, Mambu S. Feika, a former executive director, stated that if there are any plans to relocate the prison, there should be a decent office or headquarters for prison officers. He also mentioned that there should be three officers for every prisoner.
In response to Mambu S. Feika’s statements, Lamin Bangura, the Director of Corrections, acknowledged that although significant changes have not occurred following the reforms, certain areas have been revisited. For example, there is now a structured way for new recruits to be taken in, and promotions are based on merit, not favoritism, as he mentioned in the interview.
Bangura further stated that there are ongoing plans for a three-story building, currently under construction, which will serve as an office for prison officers. He added that the third floor will be used for storage, addressing a major problem they currently face at their existing office.
