BRIEFINGS FROM THE SIERRA LEONE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE ON THE INCIDENCE OF 29TH APRIL, 2020

CAUSES

overcrowding
Pademba road Correctional Centre houses all categories of inmates (especially high risk)
On that day, there were 1, 300 inmates (400% overcrowding), in a centre built to hold 324 inmates
Staff shortage (40% under strength)
Covid- 19’s outbreak prevented recruitment, which was in the pipeline
Index covid- 19 case led to drastic measures instituted that restricted movement within the facility
Suspension of court sittings
Closure of the tuck shop (retail outlet within)

RIOT

Started around 7:30 am and ended around 11 am
Inmates damaged workshop doors and set stores and some other buildings on fire
held some officers hostage, and pelted stones at officers
rivalry inmate groups within the centre clashed and wreaked havoc on themselves
OSD personnel initially fired teargas into the centre to restore sanity but failed
armed personnel forced their way in and used reasonable force to restore calm

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

AFTERMATH

31 fatalities, including 1 Corrections Officer
12 inmates died from gunshot wounds
16 inmates died from blunt force
2 inmates died of illnesses
21 inmates sustained injuries
32 Corrections Officers sustained injuries
6 of the corpses have been identified and given befitting burials by their families
24 are still in the morgue, unidentified

MOVING FORWARD

The setting- up of a riot command post
Psychosocial support to affected persons
Multi- sectorial engagement to ensure better reforms in the SLCS
The relocation of Pademba Road Correctional Centre to the outskirts of Freetown (Songo)

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