The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has given a facelift to the Kingtom Remand Home through the renovation of a dilapidated dormitory and installation of new sliding gate at its main entrance as part of SLBA’s efforts to improve the condition of detention facilities of juvenile detainees.
Before the SLBA’s intervention under the leadership of President Eddinia Michaela Swallow, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, released the State of Human Rights Report stating; “detention facilities for juvenile across the country remain in bad shape.”
The Commission observed that dormitories at the Kingtom Remand Home were found in poor condition. The report states that although mattresses and beds were discovered, they were in a deplorable condition.
As part of the Association’s charitable initiative, the SLBA handed over a well-renovated dormitory and a corrugated iron sliding gate to give them a befitting life even behind bars.
The SLBA also presented capacity building resource materials to support skills development and livelihood opportunities for detainees.
While giving an overview of the Dems Project, the SLBA President expressed passion to change the narrative of the Remand Home and to help the detainees with the required capacity training that would empower them even outside the detention facilities.
“The Remand Home should be more than just a punitive center. It must serve as an institution not only to reform juveniles but also provide educational support and capacity building that enables juveniles to abandon a life of crimes.” President Swallow told a motley crowd.
The Bar President also used the occasion to launch Probono Legal Services for the juvenile detainees that will provide free legal representation by members of the Bar Association.
Various stakeholders, including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Easmon Ngakui Esq. were in attendance.
Statements were made by SLBA sponsors. They commended the SLBA President and Board of Directors of SLBA for what they described as a “laudable, humanitarian venture.”
The representative of Kingtom Remand Home expressed joy, noting that they were extremely grateful for this mammoth act by SLBA. He stated: “we can now boast of the best gate in the community that now provides better security for us.”
Expressing resounding delight and optimism to be good citizens, some of the juvenile detainees stated their dreams are to become lawyers, medical doctors, tailors, film actors, and journalists.
