AYV News, July 4, 2025
In a bold step to reinforce commitment to access to justice and improve the efficiency of justice delivery in Sierra Leone, the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda, will today embark on a nationwide monitoring of the Prisons Court across the country.
As part of this initiative, six Judges have been assigned to various regions including Bo, Kenema, Moyamba, Mattru Jong, Magburaka, Kabala, Makeni, Kambia, Port Loko, and Freetown. The Judges will hold in-prison court sittings to examine cases of prolonged adjournments, review bail conditions, and assess the legal status of inmates who are mentally or physically challenged, as well as the aged.
This exercise is aimed at decongesting Correctional Centers and promoting expeditious and fair hearings for all categories of inmates.
Speaking ahead of the tour, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda emphasized the urgency and impact of this exercise, “This exercise is part of our continuing commitment to take justice to the people—especially the most vulnerable behind bars. By bringing Judges into the correctional centers, we wouldn’t only decongest our prisons but also uphold the fundamental rights of every accused person to a fair and timely trial. We are grateful for the support of our development partners, particularly the UNDP, in making this possible.”
This landmark move reaffirms the Judiciary’s dedication to ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of justice and aligns with the Judiciary’s Strategic Plan.
